PlayStation's live service ambitions continue to contract, as the Horizon multiplayer spin-off Hunters Gathering undergoes a major rework following poor feedback from private testing. According to a report from Bloomberg, developer Guerrilla Games has been working since June to strip out live service elements and convert the title into a traditional co-op game with a story mode and a 'far smaller scope'.
Live Service Strategy Shrinks
Sony originally planned to launch 12 live service games by 2026, but only a handful have reached the market, with mixed results. Helldivers 2 was a commercial success, though it was developed by an external studio, not an internal Sony developer. Concord was a major financial failure, and Marathon, despite critical acclaim, has also underperformed commercially. Many other in-development titles have been cancelled outright, while the futures of Fairgames and Horizon Hunters Gathering remain uncertain.
Horizon Spin-Off Faces Uncertain Future
Bloomberg reports that Guerrilla Games began overhauling Horizon Hunters Gathering in June after playtests yielded poor feedback. The live service components are being removed, and the project is being retooled into a traditional co-op experience with a narrative focus and reduced scope. However, the game may still be cancelled. According to Bloomberg, staff at Guerrilla have until the end of the year to 'impress executives with their next milestone'. Many developers on the project are being reassigned to a different title, which will also be evaluated at the end of 2026.
Jason Schreier, the Bloomberg reporter who broke the story, stated on Bluesky that the next mainline single-player Horizon game 'is still far, far away'. This dampens hopes for a sequel to Horizon Forbidden West arriving anytime soon. Some fans had speculated the next single-player entry might serve as a PlayStation 6 launch title, but Schreier's comments suggest it is even further off than that.
Impact on Guerrilla Games and Sony's Portfolio
The majority of Guerrilla's staff has been dedicated to Horizon Hunters Gathering for several years. The report indicates that this project may become another example of Sony mismanaging a studio in pursuit of a live service hit, potentially resulting in a product with limited longevity. It remains unclear whether the game can be salvaged into a viable commercial release or one that appeals to players. Beyond this Horizon spin-off, the fate of Sony's other confirmed live service game, Fairgames, is also uncertain. It has not been officially cancelled, but developer Haven Studios has experienced several high-profile staff departures over the past year.
