Speaking to 4Gamer (translation via Eurogamer), executive producer Lee Song clarified that the studio has “no reason” not to launch on PS5. However, it’s not a decision that’s up to NCSoft.

“We would like to do it, but it is not something we can decide on our own, so we would like to proceed with discussions.”

In a separate interview with Game.Watch, Song revealed that it’s “technically possible” to release the MMO on PS5 but it’s still “under discussion.” Again, this isn’t hard confirmation, but perhaps if there’s enough interest, it could receive a port.

Horizon Steel Frontiers is targeting a worldwide launch by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027. Interestingly, Guerrilla Games is allegedly working on its own Horizon multiplayer game, rumored as far back as September 2024 and reportedly its next project. Meanwhile, the next single-player Horizon adventure is seemingly a way off.

When asked about the differences between Decima Engine and Unreal Engine 5, Lee praised Guerrilla Games’ technical expertise, especially when it comes to Decima’s ability to deliver “stunning graphics and amazing asset quality”. He also noted that bringing over those high quality assets to work with Unreal Engine 5 posed its own set of challenges.

“Horizon Steel Frontiers is being developed using Unreal Engine 5,” said Lee. “The original Decima engine is incredible — it delivered stunning graphics and amazing asset quality that made Horizon so iconic. Bringing those high-quality resources over to Unreal Engine 5 was no small challenge.”

As for the development of the title. Lee also spoke about collaborating with Guerrilla Games to make sure that the artistic vision of the Horizon franchise would be captured perfectly with Horizon Steel Frontiers. He also spoke about the impressive capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 to accomplish this vision.

“We worked closely with Guerrilla to make sure we preserved the visual fidelity of the original, while creating gameplay that feels unique to Steel Frontiers,” he said. “Leveraging Unreal Engine 5’s powerful graphics capabilities, we’re able to deliver breathtaking visuals and smooth multiplayer experiences across both mobile and PC (PURPLE).”

Horizon Steel Frontiers was unveiled earlier this week, and will be coming to PC, iOS and Android. The title is set to feature many of the more iconic aspects of Guerrilla Games’ Horizon series, including the ability to use certain Machines as mounts to explore the world. However, along with this, it is also slated to feature plenty of its own unique gameplay features. Lee had spoken about these features during the title’s announcement.

“We’ve added unique, original gameplay elements to the process of taking down giant machines,” he said. “For example, after destroying a specific part of a machine, you can quickly approach and climb onto it using a Pullcaster, set traps on the damaged part, and inflict status effects.”

The MMO will focus around players gathering in the Deadlands alongside thousands of other hunters in order to take on the threat posed by the Machines. It was announced with a pair of trailers, one of which showcased the gameplay that made it quite easy to draw comparisons with Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise.

NCSoft has also noted that Horizon Steel Frontiers is being developed by making extensive use of AI tools across its development pipeline, from programming to the creation of art. The company also noted that other studios are also using these tools, and that we will get to see more titles use the technology in similar ways moving forward.

Along with this, Guerrilla Games is also reportedly working on its own multiplayer game based on the Horizon universe. For more details, check out our coverage.

“Just to clear up some confusion I’ve seen, the newly announced NCSoft Horizon MMO is different from the multiplayer Horizon game that’s in development at Guerrilla Games,” wrote Schreier on social media. “That one is Guerrilla’s next big project.”

Whether this multiplayer game in development at Guerrilla Games will be a full-fledged sequel or a smaller project similar to Ghost of Tsushima’s Legends mode is currently unknown. However, with Schreier noting that the scale of the project is “big”, it is likely going to be a much more in-depth multiplayer experience rather than just being a spin-off.

While Guerrilla Games has been known for its work on the single-player-only Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, the studio is far from a stranger to multiplayer titles. Guerrilla Games first started coming to prominence in the PS3 era thanks to its work on the Killzone franchise, which featured single-player campaigns as well as elaborate multiplayer competitive modes that showcased their FPS gameplay.

However, Killzone: Shadow Fall was the last title the studio had worked on in the franchise before eventually moving on to the Horizon series.

Horizon Steel Frontiers was officially unveiled earlier this month by NCSoft. The title doesn’t yet have a release date. However, the company has confirmed that it will be coming to PC, iOS and Android. NCSoft has described the multiplayer title as tapping into quite a few of the things that are iconic to the Horizon franchise while also featuring unique gameplay elements of its own.

“We’ve added unique, original gameplay elements to the process of taking down giant machines,” said executive producer Sung-Gu Lee during the announcement. “For example, after destroying a specific part of a machine, you can quickly approach and climb onto it using a Pullcaster, set traps on the damaged part, and inflict status effects.”

The title will also have quite a bit of emphasis on giving players plenty of customisation options, ranging from body type to hair and makeup and even the choice of tribe from between the Nora, the Tenakth, the Utaru and the Oseram.

“In Horizon Steel Frontiers, every player is a hero,” said Lee. “We’ve put great care into customization, allowing you to fully express your individuality—even down to the smallest details. During character creation, we’ve incorporated the tribes from the original Horizon world.”

Interestingly, NCSoft has also noted that it is making extensive use of AI for the development of Horizon Steel Frontiers. Among the things for which AI is being used include coding as well as art. The company also noted that other game development companies are also using similar tools, and that we will see it becoming a lot more common in the coming years.

Just to clear up some confusion I've seen, the newly announced NCSoft Horizon MMO is different from the multiplayer Horizon game that's in development at Guerrilla Games. That one is Guerrilla's next big project

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) 2025-11-13T13:59:15.100Z

The company stated that AI was used for a variety of things in the development of its upcoming games like Horizon Steel Frontiers and Aion 2, ranging from programming all the way up to art. The company also noted that we will see AI being used a lot more throughout the industry in the future.

“We’re testing and receiving assistance internally through collaborations with basic NPCs and combat,” said the company (via machine translation). “Since we’re an action RPG, we don’t play with a large number of players, but rather determine the optimal number of players, and we receive assistance in various aspects. Internally, we also rely on AI for production, from coding to art. It ‘s being widely adopted in the field, and I think the technologies will gradually become known. The Horizon Steel Frontiers development team is also the one most eager to utilize AI. It’s being used a lot, and you’ll see that games coming out after Aion 2 will greatly increase their use of AI.”

Horizon Steel Frontiers was unveiled earlier this week by NCSoft, and is currently in development for PC, iOS and Android. As its name implies, the title takes place in the world of the Horizon games by Guerrilla Games – more specifically in the Deadlands – and will revolve around hunters coming together to hunt down the Machines. It will also carry over many of the gameplay elements that the Horizon series is known for, including being able to use certain Machines as mounts to explore the world.

That’s not to say that the upcoming MMO will feature 1-to-1 gameplay from Guerrilla’s titles, however. Some aspects of the original games, like the Pullcaster, will be changed in a way to make more sense for multiplayer battles, with executive producer Sung-Gu Lee also confirming that there will be unique gameplay elements that go with recognisable parts of the title.

“We’ve added unique, original gameplay elements to the process of taking down giant machines,” said Lee. “For example, after destroying a specific part of a machine, you can quickly approach and climb onto it using a Pullcaster, set traps on the damaged part, and inflict status effects.”

Horizon Steel Frontiers will also feature quite a bit of player customisation, with Lee noting that players will be able to “fully express your individuality”, even down to the smallest details. This means that there will also be a robust character creator that also allows players to choose aspects like their tribe along with things like body type, hair and makeup, among other things.

The MMO doesn’t yet have a release date yet. However, NCSoft has confirmed that it won’t be available through Steam or Epic Games Store. Instead, it will be available through the company’s own game launcher, dubbed PURPLE.

Many of the series’ elements, from bow combat to using Machines as mounts carry over, but others, like the Pullcaster, have been repurposed in different ways. As executive producer Sung-Gu Lee notes, “We’ve added unique, original gameplay elements to the process of taking down giant machines. For example, after destroying a specific part of a machine, you can quickly approach and climb onto it using a Pullcaster, set traps on the damaged part, and inflict status effects.”

Of course, blowing off a Machine’s weapon and using it yourself is also present but now you can carry them on mounts and bring them into other fights. There’s also an emphasis on hunters taking on different roles and working together, with melee weapons like two-handed swords and dual blades showcased. Oh, and for the first time in the franchise, you’ll create your own character.

“In Horizon Steel Frontiers, every player is a hero,” said Sung-Gu Lee. “We’ve put great care into customization, allowing you to fully express your individuality—even down to the smallest details. During character creation, we’ve incorporated the tribes from the original Horizon world.” After choosing a tribe – with the Nora, Tenakth, Utaru and Oseram returning – you can adjust body type, hair, makeup and more.

Horizon Steel Frontiers doesn’t have a release date just yet but it’s interesting to note that it won’t be coming to PlayStation. Furthermore, its PC version seemingly won’t be available on Steam or Epic Games Store but through NCSOFT’s proprietary launcher, PURPLE. Check out the official site for more details.