Horizon Steel Frontiers MMORPG Revealed by NCSOFT and Guerrilla at GSTAR 2025
At GSTAR 2025, NCSOFT officially lifted the curtain on Horizon Steel Frontiers, a new global MMORPG developed in partnership with Guerrilla, the Sony Interactive Entertainment studio behind the Horizon and Killzone series. This marks the Horizon franchise’s first entry into the MMORPG space and one of the biggest surprises of the event.
Horizon Steel Frontiers is set in a previously unexplored region of the Horizon universe called the Deadlands. The game features Horizon’s signature machine hunting gameplay expanded with fully online systems, player freedom, and customizable combat experiences. It is being built as a cross-platform title for both PC and mobile via NCSOFT’s proprietary platform, PURPLE.
With an official brand website now live, players around the world can dive into the debut trailer, key art, and gameplay plus developer commentary video. The new MMORPG brings together two industry giants and aims to be a standout global title across regions and platforms.
NCSOFT and Guerrilla Combine Forces
This collaboration between Korea’s NCSOFT and the Netherlands-based Guerrilla Games is designed to marry cinematic storytelling with MMO expertise. The result is Horizon Steel Frontiers, a title that expands the lore of the Horizon universe while offering a new genre-defining experience.
In a developer interview, Jan Bart Van Beek, Studio Director at Guerrilla, expressed excitement about the project. NCSOFT CEO and Chief Creative Officer Taekjin Kim and Executive Producer Sunggu Lee also shared their perspectives and design goals. Their collective vision is to deliver a Horizon MMO that both existing fans and newcomers can dive into immediately.
Deep Customization and Massive Battles
Horizon Steel Frontiers introduces large-scale encounters, detailed mechanical creatures, and enhanced player customization. The trailer hints at familiar machines and new environments that bring the Horizon universe to life in ways never seen before. With action-based combat, a seamless online world, and persistent progression, players will experience the Horizon world through an entirely new lens.
Players can expect in-depth class systems, crafting mechanics, gear progression, and community-driven events. PvE and PvP encounters will both play a central role.
The goal is not only to adapt Horizon to an MMO format but to evolve the world itself.
Global Rollout Begins
The official Horizon Steel Frontiers website is now live and serves as the home for updates, trailers, and future announcements. While gameplay was not available to the public at GSTAR, a 10-minute gameplay showcase was shared exclusively at the event. Full player access is expected sometime in 2026, with updates to follow through the website and social media.
The Deadlands and Beyond
Horizon Steel Frontiers is set in the Deadlands, a new territory filled with machine threats and deep storylines. While much of the narrative is still under wraps, the developers confirmed that lore connections to Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West will exist. However, this title will forge its own identity and story direction.
Unlike the mainline Horizon games, Steel Frontiers will feature flexible quest systems, cooperative gameplay, scalable content, and a social hub structure. Players will shape the world through exploration, faction choices, and competitive challenges.
Fans can expect a gradual rollout of new information on Horizon Steel Frontiers over the coming months. Character classes, open-world mechanics, weapon systems, and world events will be detailed on the official website soon.
As the game nears its public testing phase, NCSOFT will also introduce ways for players to sign up for beta access, dev updates, and community forums. With full cross-platform support and a mobile-ready architecture, this game is being built for long-term engagement on a global scale.