The Killzone game was probably created as a sort of response to Microsoft’s Halo titles, which were very successful at the time. Killzone 2 in particular earned Guerrilla Games high praise for its graphical wizardry. But the game didn’t sell well, and was canceled after Killzone: Shadow Fall 11 years ago.
Sony’s practice, including with the PlayStation 4, was that developers would often create a series of games that were almost abandoned at the end of a generation. As a result, Sony has many game series with most of the titles available on a single console (there may be exceptions for other PlayStation formats or some updated versions with better graphics). Killzone can’t really be considered one of those games, but it still gave us five games in nine years and was retired.
Killzone wasn’t Guerrilla’s first game, but it was a critical breakthrough. Although it was a much-loved series, it didn’t sell as well as Sony had hoped.
Since then, Guerrilla has become synonymous with the Horizon series, the first of which (Horizon: Zero Dawn) is one of the most well-designed games I know, featuring a protagonist who brought many fresh elements to the gaming world. It certainly wasn’t the best game in the world, but I’d probably give it a strong 8, and the combination of an insanely colorful world and even cooler enemies made it a huge hit.
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In the industry, that almost automatically means a sequel, and five years later came Horizon: Forbidden West . But we’ve arrived in the middle of an era where Sony has decided that live services are the future and is focused on better leveraging its biggest brands. As a result, it was announced that Horizon would become a TV series in the same year, 2022. Additionally, the VR game Horizon: Call of the Mountain was announced.
The world of Horizon is one of the best, most meticulously designed game worlds we’ve ever seen.
At the same time, rumors began to circulate that Horizon: Zero Dawn would be the next game to receive the remaster treatment from Sony, and judging by the comments on the news about it, they were all negative. The prevailing opinion was that this game was too new to be remastered, and that it looked too good to be remastered. Today we know that the data is accurate, Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered has been announced and released this year, and earlier this year an updated version of Horizon: Forbidden West was also released for PC. In addition to this, Lego Horizon Adventures was also announced this year and recently released. We also know that a live service version of Horizon is in the works, rumored to be released next year, and a new adventure with Aloy is also in the works.
And over the past few months, we’ve noticed a clear shift in the way you (and others on gaming forums and social media) talk about Horizon. The tone was set after what became an acclaimed series with a unique world and two great main games. Horizon: Call of the Mountain wasn’t a huge success and received lower reviews than its predecessor, the recently released remaster was perceived as unnecessary, and many believed Sony would stop selling the cheaper original, forcing users to pay dearly for it. I felt that I acted unfairly and greedily in the way I did.
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Netflix has invested heavily in video game adaptations (from left: Arcane, Cyberpunk, Castlevania), with Bioshock and Gears of War in the works. However, Horizon is currently on hold, but we assume Sony is looking for another partner. // Riot Games
And Lego Horizon Adventures has downright miserable Steam numbers and a pretty mediocre rating. The fans don’t seem to care at all, and I feel like Sony has failed to show how to effectively break through the brand’s success through over-exploitation. This isn’t unique to Sony, it’s something we’ve seen many times before, and fans can only take so much because the project has to measure up.
Of course, we don’t know how good the upcoming live service games will be, but they’re not what fans have been asking for, so there’s a risk that this will be a rather expensive venture for Sony. A new Concord may seem out of the question, but live service is a style of gaming that requires many players to keep playing and buying things, which is the exact opposite of what the Horizon series stands for. In short, there seems to be a risk that people will simply pass it on, which shows the dangers of working in the current gaming world.
One publisher that has invested everything into the series is Ubisoft. As long as it works, it will work until it doesn’t.
You only have to look at Ubisoft, which has basically become an Assassin’s Creed factory and has been struggling for some time with its market capitalization plummeting. There’s now frequent talk of some kind of acquisition, and I’d venture to say that if the Assassin’s Creed series starts to decline, the entire company will be in trouble. They simply put all their eggs in one basket.
I’ve written before about how the gaming world needs to re-launch new major brands, but unfortunately there’s a lot to suggest that the trend is going in a different direction with fewer and fewer titles. Instead of new series, there will be spinoffs of well-known brands, and as a result, there is a risk that players will get bored with previously loved series without anything ready to replace the old ones.
Every time I’ve written about Horizon in 2024, the comments have been almost entirely negative, which is a huge departure from the past. We hope Sony listens to the ground.
10 or 15 years ago, in an era when there was a lot less milking to be done than there is today, when many games were part of a franchise and continually released in updated editions (if not remasters, then PC versions or new console hardware), Gamereactor’s There were frequent complaints about the milking series in the comments section. If fans tire of Horizon as a live service game next year, Sony has no one to blame but themselves, and I hope the rest of the gaming world is keeping a close eye on this. Because the metaphorical cows will eventually have to be replaced, and when that time comes, having something to actually replace them will become incredibly important.
**How can developers and publishers, like Sony, strike a balance between leveraging the success of popular franchises like Horizon through expansion while avoiding the pitfalls of oversaturation and diminishing returns seen in other franchises?**
## Interview: The Horizon of Series Exploitation
**Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’ll be discussing the recent trajectory of the successful Horizon series and the broader implications for the gaming industry. We are joined by two esteemed guests:**
* **[Guest 1 Name]:** Gaming industry analyst and commentator, known for insightful analysis of game development trends and market strategies.
* **[Guest 2 Name]:** Avid gamer and contributor to various online communities, representing the voice of the gaming community.
**Introduction:**
* The Horizon series has achieved critical acclaim and commercial success, establishing a vibrant and engaging world. However, recent developments like remasters, spin-offs, and a planned live service game have sparked debate within the community. Today, we aim to explore these developments and discuss their implications for the future of the series and the gaming landscape as a whole.
**Section 1: The Horizon from Killzone to Jim:**
* **[To Guest 1]:** The article notes a shift in Sony’s approach to game development, moving away from one-off series like Killzone towards ongoing franchises like Horizon. What are the strategic advantages for Sony in this shift, and are there potential drawbacks?
* **[To Guest 2]:** As a passionate gamer, how do you perceive this shift in Sony’s development strategy? Do you believe it benefits players in the long run?
**Section 2: Over-Saturation and the Decline of Enthusiasm:**
* **[To Guest 1]:** The article suggests that the recent wave of Horizon releases, including remasters, spin-offs, and the upcoming live service game, might be oversaturating the market, potentially leading to fan fatigue. Is this a valid concern, and are there examples of other franchises facing similar issues?
* **[To Guest 2]:** Have you noticed a change in sentiment towards the Horizon series from the gaming community? What are the most common concerns voiced by fellow gamers regarding the current direction of the franchise?
**Section 3: The Live Service Dilemma:**
* **[To Guest 1]:** Live service games have become increasingly prevalent in the gaming industry. What are the potential benefits and risks of introducing a live service model to a narrative-driven series like Horizon? Will it succeed in attracting new players without alienating existing fans?
* **[To Guest 2]:** What are your hopes and reservations regarding the introduction of a live service Horizon game? Do you believe it can effectively integrate with the existing lore and narrative universe without compromising the core gameplay experience?
**Section 4: The Future of Gaming Franchises:**
* **[To Guest 1]:** Ubisoft’s heavy reliance on the Assassin’s Creed franchise serves as a cautionary tale of over-exploitation. Could Sony be venturing down a similar path with Horizon? What are the lessons that Sony and other publishers should learn from past mistakes?
* **[To Guest 2]:** What are your expectations for the future of the Horizon franchise? Do you believe it can maintain its original quality and appeal while navigating the pressures of commercial success and industry trends?
**Concluding Remarks:**
* **[To Both Guests]:** As the gaming industry evolves, it’s crucial to strike a balance between innovation and preserving the integrity of beloved franchises. What advice would you give to both developers
and players to ensure a sustainable and fulfilling gaming future for everyone?
**Thank you to our guests for their insightful perspectives.** This conversation highlights the complex challenges and opportunities faced by both developers and players in the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming world. We hope it prompts further discussion and reflection on the future of beloved franchises like Horizon.
