After gaining a reputation for not being able to catch a break thanks to its release schedule, theHorizonseries finds itself in a much more enviable position these days. The releases ofHorizon Zero DawnandHorizon Forbidden Westsaw both titles competing with the likes ofThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildandElden Ring, respectively. But the series has successfully carved out its own niche, enough to become one of Sony’s most successful first-party franchises and a clear priority for the PlayStation brand moving forward. Given the series' recent past, it’s possible thatHorizon's current momentum could give way to an exciting announcement regarding its future.
The cancelation of theHorizon Zero Dawntelevision adaptationnotwithstanding, theHorizonfranchise has been experiencing some near non-stop momentum since the launch ofHorizon Forbidden West. FollowingForbidden West’s release, Guerrilla has released one new game in theHorizonseries in each subsequent year, with 2023 seeing the launch of the VR titleHorizon Call of the Mountainand this year welcomingLegoHorizon Adventures(along with a remaster of the originalHorizon Zero Dawn). If that cadence keeps up, players can likely expect Sony and Guerrilla Games to follow through with something franchise-related in 2025.
Horizon Could Cash-In On its Momentum With a One-Two Punch of Releases and Reveals
Having just recently launched a LEGO spin-off and a remaster of the first game, it would seem that 2025 would be a quiet year for Guerrilla Games andtheHorizonfranchise, but the speed at which the series has expanded seems to suggest otherwise. At least one newHorizonproject has been announced or released each year since the launch ofHorizon Forbidden Westin 2022, and there’s a strong possibility that Sony will want to maintain that schedule given how successful the franchise continues to be. As far as what that might look like, some rumored in-development projects could see the light of day in the coming 12 months.
In addition to the rumored mobile version ofHorizonthat is currently in development,Guerrilla Games' job postingsfor developers on a multiplayer-centric project set in theHorizonuniverse point to a second title that might see a reveal in 2025. Additionally, the reveal trailer forHorizon Forbidden Westdebuted in 2020, roughly 3 years after the launch ofHorizon Zero Dawn. With 2025 marking 3 years since the launch ofHorizon Forbidden West, fans might get their first glimpse at the upcoming third mainline game in the series.
Horizon’s Future as a Multimedia Property Is Likely Far From Over
Netflix’s decision to cancel its in-development television adaptation ofHorizon Zero Dawnis surprising, with multiple studios hoping to cash in on the ongoing video game adaptation “gold rush”. While there haven’t been any signs pointing to another studio picking up where Netflix left off, the beloved story and characters oftheHorizonseriesseem too good to pass up, meaning players likely haven’t seen the last ofHorizon’s chances at becoming a film or television show (either live-action or animated). There’s a possibility that 2025’s expansion to theHorizonuniverse might not be game-related at all.
If Sony and Guerrilla Games announce a new project in theHorizonuniverse for release in 2025 or down the line, it’s a safe bet to assume that the studios are actively seeking partners to turn the franchise into a multimedia property. Though the original plans for an adaptation ofHorizonto screen centered on the series being live-action, the success ofRiot Games’Arcaneand theCyberpunk 2077animeEdgerunnerspoint to a potential animated adaptation beingHorizon's best fit moving forward.
Horizon
The Horizon franchise follows Aloy as she is forced to contend with a series of powerful, towering robotic creatures in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The third-person action-RPG has already seen a sequel with Horizon: Forbidden West and gives players the freedom to explore the open world as they see fit.
