Horizon Zero Dawn 3: What We Know About the Delayed PS6 Sequel

The gaming world got some shocking news recently. Guerrilla Games, the studio behind one of PlayStation's most beloved franchises, has apparently shifted its entire development focus. While fans have been waiting years for news on Horizon Zero Dawn 3, the studio quietly announced something different: Horizon Hunters Gathering, a three-player cooperative multiplayer game that's now consuming most of their development resources.

Here's the thing. When you're passionate about a franchise, waiting feels like an eternity. Horizon Zero Dawn launched in 2017 to critical acclaim. Forbidden West followed in 2022. But now, after years of speculation about what comes next, reports suggest the next mainline installment won't arrive for another three to five years—potentially making it a PlayStation 6 launch title rather than a current-generation game.

Let's break down what's actually happening at Guerrilla Games, why the studio made this pivot, and what it means for everyone still thinking about Aloy's next adventure.

The Unexpected Shift: From Horizon 3 to Horizon Hunters Gathering

In late 2024, Guerrilla Games made an official announcement that caught many players off guard. The studio wasn't revealing Horizon Zero Dawn 3. Instead, they introduced Horizon Hunters Gathering, a completely different game set in the Horizon universe. But here's what made this announcement particularly significant: it wasn't just another spin-off or side project.

According to reporting from gaming journalist outlets, two sources close to the project told journalists that Horizon Hunters Gathering is actually the primary focus for most of Guerrilla Games' development team. This isn't a smaller team working on a side project while the main studio works on Horizon 3. This is the main studio, working on this project.

One source specifically mentioned that many staff members who were working on Horizon Zero Dawn 3 were pulled over to help develop Horizon Hunters Gathering. The reasoning? Sony is apparently committed to making this multiplayer game succeed, which means throwing resources at it becomes the priority.

The contrast couldn't be starker. In March 2024, it was widely believed that Guerrilla was focused on developing the next mainline Horizon game. Fast forward eight months, and the studio has completely realigned its priorities around a multiplayer cooperative experience instead.

Estimated data: Various scenarios could accelerate Horizon Zero Dawn 3's release by 1-2 years, showcasing the fluidity of game development timelines.

Understanding Horizon Hunters Gathering: The New Chapter

So what exactly is Horizon Hunters Gathering, and why would Guerrilla Games put so much emphasis on it over a direct sequel to one of PlayStation's flagship franchises?

Horizon Hunters Gathering is designed as a three-player cooperative action game coming to PlayStation 5 and PC. The game's director, Arjan Bak, described it as a project that combines "reactive, and deeply skill-based" combat with "tactical precision" drawn from the Horizon games themselves, blended with team play dynamics.

This positioning is crucial. It's not a battle royale. It's not a traditional live-service game. Hunters Gathering is built around the idea of three players coordinating together to take on challenges within the Horizon universe. Think less Fortnite, more specialized tactical co-op experience like Deep Rock Galactic or similar squad-based action games.

The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, but no release date has been announced yet. What we do know is that the game will feature a narrative campaign that's fully canon to the Horizon series, and game director Arjan Bak confirmed that the story "doesn't stop at launch," suggesting post-launch content and updates are planned from the start.

This is an important detail because it shows Guerrilla Games is treating this as a long-term project, not a quick spinoff. They're building a foundation for ongoing content and narrative expansion, which further explains why so much of their studio is committed to this project.

The Timeline: When Can We Actually Expect Horizon Zero Dawn 3?

Let's get to the question everyone wants answered: when is Horizon Zero Dawn 3 actually coming?

Based on reporting from industry sources, Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is estimated to be "three to five years" away from release. That puts us in the 2028 to 2029 window, assuming we're counting from late 2024 when these reports emerged.

But there's more context to understand here. According to the sources who spoke with journalists, Horizon Zero Dawn 3 will "likely" launch as a PlayStation 6 title. This is significant because it suggests Guerrilla Games and Sony are potentially planning this as a launch window release for PS6, which itself is rumored to launch sometime in 2027 or 2028.

There's a caveat, though. The sources also mentioned there's "a chance" the game could be a cross-generation release, launching on both PS5 and PS6. This would actually make sense from a business perspective. By the time 2028 rolls around, PlayStation 5 will be five to six years old, and the install base will still be massive. A cross-gen release would expand potential sales considerably.

So the most likely scenario is this: Horizon Zero Dawn 3 launches between 2028 and 2029, probably around the time of PS6's launch window, and probably on both generations of PlayStation hardware plus PC.

For context, let's look at the gaps in the franchise. Horizon Zero Dawn launched in February 2017. Forbidden West arrived in February 2022, a five-year gap. If the three-to-five-year timeline holds, we're looking at a total gap of eight to ten years between Forbidden West and Zero Dawn 3. That's a long time to ask fans to wait.

Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is projected to release between 2028 and 2029, aligning with the PlayStation 6 launch. Estimated data based on industry trends.

Why Sony and Guerrilla Made This Choice

Understanding the "why" behind this decision requires thinking about what's happening in the gaming industry right now. Multiplayer games have dominated the gaming landscape for the past decade. Live-service games generate consistent revenue. Single-player experiences, while critically acclaimed and beloved by fans, generate sales primarily at launch.

Sony has been pushing its studios toward multiplayer projects and live-service experiences. This isn't unique to Guerrilla. Studios across the industry have been nudged toward these models because they create ongoing revenue streams, deeper player engagement metrics, and opportunities for additional monetization.

According to gaming journalists who covered this story, Sony is specifically "committed to making" Horizon Hunters Gathering "a multiplayer success." This suggests there's pressure from the publisher to make this game work, which would naturally result in more resources being allocated to it.

From a business standpoint, this makes sense. Guerrilla Games has proven expertise with Horizon's combat mechanics, world-building, and narrative design. They're not starting from zero with Hunters Gathering. They're taking everything they've learned from two previous Horizon games and applying it to a new gameplay format.

There's also a strategic timing element here. PlayStation 5 is in its mature phase. The console is aging. A new multiplayer experience could invigorate the player base and keep people engaged on current-generation hardware while Guerrilla works on the next mainline experience for the next generation.

What This Means for Horizon Fans: The Long Wait

If you're someone who's been waiting to see what Aloy's next adventure looks like in terms of story and character development, this news is admittedly disappointing. Four to six years is an extremely long gap between major installments in a beloved franchise.

Compare this to other franchises. The gap between God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök (2023) was five years. The gap between The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) and Tears of the Kingdom (2023) was six years. These gaps are not unprecedented, but they're significant, and they test fan patience.

However, there are some positive angles here. First, Horizon Hunters Gathering is still set within the Horizon universe. It's not like Guerrilla is abandoning the IP. The game will feature narrative content that's canon to the series, which means fans will get new story material, just not in the traditional single-player campaign format they might expect.

Second, this actually gives Guerrilla Games time to really develop Horizon Zero Dawn 3 into something exceptional. The Forbidden West showed how far the series can go visually and mechanically. Five additional years of development, with potentially more advanced hardware to target, could result in a game that pushes well beyond what we've seen.

Third, the gap gives PlayStation time to fully transition to next-generation hardware. By the time Horizon Zero Dawn 3 launches around the PS6 window, development will be optimized specifically for that hardware. There won't be the technical constraints that come from supporting aging consoles.

The Broader Context: PlayStation's Live-Service Strategy

Understanding why Guerrilla Games is focusing on Horizon Hunters Gathering requires understanding PlayStation's broader strategic direction. Sony has been investing heavily in live-service and multiplayer games across its first-party studios.

We've seen this with projects like Concord (which was ultimately shut down), various live-service initiatives at different studios, and a general push toward games that keep players engaged over longer periods. This strategy has had mixed results. Some projects have failed spectacularly. Others have found success.

Horizon Hunters Gathering fits into this strategy, but with an important distinction. Guerrilla Games isn't trying to create a battle royale or a traditional live-service game. They're creating a focused cooperative experience that leverages their existing expertise. This is a more measured approach than some of PlayStation's other live-service bets.

The Horizon franchise specifically lends itself well to cooperative gameplay. The monsters in these games are designed as encounters that require tactical thinking and coordination. Three players coordinating to take down a Thunderjaw or Fireclaws is actually a compelling gameplay concept. Guerrilla isn't forcing multiplayer onto something that doesn't work with it.

Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is expected to release between 2028 and 2029, marking an 8-10 year gap since Forbidden West. Estimated data based on industry reports.

How This Compares to Other Franchise Timelines

Let's put this timeline in perspective by looking at how other major gaming franchises handle development cycles.

The mainline Final Fantasy games typically have development cycles of four to five years. Final Fantasy XV took about ten years from announcement to release, though that involved significant restructuring. Final Fantasy XVI took around five years from announcement to launch in 2023.

The Elder Scrolls series has extremely long gaps. Skyrim launched in 2011. The Elder Scrolls VI hasn't been released yet, though it was announced in 2021, suggesting it won't launch until 2026 or later. That's a fifteen-year gap between games.

The Legend of Zelda series varies, but major projects typically take three to five years. Breath of the Wild took five years to develop. Its sequel took three years.

In this context, a three-to-five-year gap between Forbidden West and Zero Dawn 3 is actually reasonable, assuming development was underway before the Hunters Gathering pivot. The challenge isn't the timeline itself—it's that fans didn't expect a multiplayer spin-off to take priority over the main series.

Industry Reactions and Expert Analysis

When news of this shift broke, gaming journalists and industry analysts had various takes on what it means.

Jason Schreier, a respected gaming journalist with connections throughout the industry, commented on the situation after Horizon Hunters Gathering was announced. When asked whether he believed the project was being made by a separate, dedicated team at Guerrilla, Schreier responded by saying he believed "most of the studio is on this." This aligned with what the sources had reported, confirming the scale of the resource allocation.

Other analysts noted that this represents a significant bet by Sony. The publisher is essentially saying that they believe a three-player cooperative Horizon game is worth more immediate investment than the next mainline installment. This is a risky strategic call, but it's also understandable given the current gaming landscape.

Some industry observers pointed out that this actually makes sense for Guerrilla Games' current capabilities and goals. The studio already knows how to make excellent single-player action games. Applying that expertise to cooperative multiplayer is a natural extension that leverages their existing strength. Meanwhile, pushing the single-player Horizon 3 further out gives them time to innovate on that front as well.

The Question of Narrative Continuity

One thing many Horizon fans are wondering is whether Hunters Gathering will affect the narrative setup for Horizon Zero Dawn 3.

Arjan Bak, the game's director, confirmed that Horizon Hunters Gathering will feature a narrative campaign that's "fully canon" to the Horizon series. This means events in Hunters Gathering are officially part of the franchise's storyline. The game isn't some alternate universe or side story that doesn't matter to the main narrative.

This raises an interesting question: will Horizon Zero Dawn 3 need to account for events from Hunters Gathering? Will players be expected to have played the multiplayer game to understand the story of Horizon 3?

Historically, this is tricky territory. When franchises release spin-offs with canonical stories, they often struggle with the expectation problem. Do you require players to have experienced the spin-off? Do you recap the events? Do you create a separate continuity?

Based on how other franchises handle this (like Final Fantasy with its various spin-offs and remakes), it's likely that Guerrilla will find a way to make Horizon Zero Dawn 3 accessible to players who haven't played Hunters Gathering, while rewarding those who have with additional context and references.

The fact that Hunters Gathering will have post-launch narrative updates suggests that Guerrilla is actively building out story content over time. The narrative won't be finalized at launch. This means they'll have flexibility to adjust and expand the story before Horizon 3 launches, allowing them to coordinate the two games' narratives more effectively.

The Horizon franchise shows a pattern of extended development cycles, with projected releases for Horizon Zero Dawn 3 aligning with the PS6 launch. Estimated data.

PlayStation 6 Hardware and Its Implications

The fact that sources suggest Horizon Zero Dawn 3 will be a PS6 launch title (or near-launch title) has implications beyond just the game itself.

PS6 is rumored to launch sometime between 2027 and 2029. If we assume a 2027 or early 2028 launch, and Horizon 3 is three to five years out from late 2024, we're looking at a launch window alignment. This would be intentional—Guerrilla Games is likely aware of when PS6 launches and is planning accordingly.

Launching a major first-party exclusive at a hardware generation's launch window is strategically powerful. It gives early adopters a reason to buy the new console. It showcases what the hardware can do. It establishes the generational transition with a known, beloved franchise.

This aligns with Sony's historical strategy. Major franchises like God of War, Grand Theft Auto (third-party but heavily promoted), and others have launched near or at generational transitions. Horizon Zero Dawn 3 being positioned for PS6's window makes perfect strategic sense.

The implication is that Horizon 3 will be built from the ground up for PS6 hardware. We'll likely see a game that takes full advantage of next-generation capabilities, rather than a game developed for PS5 that's later ported to PS6. This could mean more ambitious scope, better visual fidelity, faster load times, and other improvements that next-gen hardware enables.

Multiplayer Gaming Trends and Horizon Hunters Gathering's Positioning

Horizon Hunters Gathering exists at an interesting moment in gaming history. The industry has learned hard lessons about live-service games over the past five years.

Projects like Marvel's Avengers, Anthem, and countless others have attempted to create live-service experiences and failed to maintain player engagement. Meanwhile, games like Helldivers 2 have found surprising success with a focused cooperative gameplay loop and consistent updates.

Horizon Hunters Gathering appears to be positioning itself in that more successful category. It's not trying to be everything to everyone. It's not a massive open world with endless progression systems. It's a focused cooperative experience built around Guerrilla's proven combat design.

This positioning is smart. Three-player cooperative games have a strong community base. Games like GTFO, Deep Rock Galactic, and others have built devoted player bases despite smaller marketing budgets than AAA live-service games. Horizon's IP and Guerrilla's proven design expertise could allow Hunters Gathering to find real success in this space.

The key difference between Hunters Gathering and failed live-service games is scope and focus. Guerrilla isn't trying to compete with everything simultaneously. They're making a specific type of game and committing to that vision.

The Dev Perspective: Why Guerrilla Games' Team Might Actually Be Okay With This

It's worth considering this from the perspective of game developers at Guerrilla Games themselves.

Making a multiplayer cooperative game is genuinely different and exciting from a development standpoint. If you're a combat designer who spent years working on single-player Horizon games, working on multiplayer combat with three-player coordination challenges is a fresh creative problem to solve.

Developers generally prefer working on projects they're excited about. The fact that Guerrilla apparently staffed Horizon Hunters Gathering by drawing talent from the Horizon 3 team suggests that people voluntarily shifted (or at least didn't resist shifting). This could mean the project is genuinely exciting to work on from a creative perspective.

There's also the practical reality that not every developer wants to work on the same franchise forever. Variety is healthy for team morale and creative growth. Hunters Gathering offers that variety while still keeping people within the Horizon universe they know well.

From a career development perspective, working on a new game type at a major studio with significant resources and publisher backing is valuable experience. Developers who work on Hunters Gathering are learning skills that will be valuable throughout their careers.

The Horizon Zero Dawn series had its first release in 2017, followed by a sequel in 2022. The next installment is projected to release between 2026 and 2028, potentially aligning with the PS6 launch. Estimated data.

What Fans Can Actually Expect from Horizon Hunters Gathering

Given everything we know, what should Horizon fans expect from Hunters Gathering during the wait for Horizon 3?

First, expect a well-designed cooperative experience. Guerrilla Games is not a studio known for poor game design. Whatever Hunters Gathering ends up being, it will be competent and fun at its core.

Second, expect a substantial campaign with narrative content. Director Arjan Bak specifically mentioned that the game will have a "fully canon" narrative campaign that "doesn't stop at launch." This means you're getting significant story content, not just multiplayer modes.

Third, expect continued development and updates over time. The fact that the narrative "doesn't stop at launch" explicitly suggests post-launch story content is planned. Guerrilla is committing to ongoing support.

Fourth, expect tactical, skill-based combat that builds on Horizon's foundation. The director emphasized "reactive, and deeply skill-based" combat with "tactical precision." This isn't a casual experience. It's built for players who want strategic challenges.

What you probably shouldn't expect is a replacement for Horizon Zero Dawn 3. This is a different type of game. It will tell stories in the Horizon universe, but it's not the next chapter in Aloy's direct story. Set expectations accordingly.

Historical Context: Other Franchises and Their Spin-Offs

Horizon isn't the first franchise to pivot resources toward a spin-off while fans wait for the next mainline game.

Final Fantasy has a sprawling ecosystem of spin-offs, remakes, and side games. Between FFVII (1997) and FFVIII (1999), Square had time for multiple spin-off games. The current FFVII Remake saga has spawned the main game, Intermission (a bonus episode), and Crisis Core Reunion, creating a complex timeline of releases while fans wait for the next mainline installment.

The Legend of Zelda series often has spin-offs released between mainline games. Hyrule Warriors (a collaboration with Omega Force) released while fans waited for major Zelda entries. Nintendo uses these spin-offs to keep the franchise active in players' minds during development gaps.

Assassin's Creed has released numerous spin-offs and side games, including mobile games, strategy games, and more, while mainline entries take three to four years between releases.

In this context, Horizon Hunters Gathering follows a fairly standard industry pattern. It keeps the franchise visible and engaging while the main team works on the next mainline entry. The scale of the resource commitment is larger than typical spin-offs, but the strategic principle is sound.

The Business Case: Why This Makes Financial Sense

From a pure business perspective, this strategy makes logical sense, even if it frustrates fans.

Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West were both massive commercial successes. Forbidden West sold over 8 million copies. These are AAA-level success numbers. The franchise has demonstrated it can support multiple projects financially.

By investing in Hunters Gathering now, Guerrilla Games and Sony are essentially diversifying the franchise portfolio. Instead of putting all their eggs in one basket (the next mainline game), they're creating two concurrent revenue streams. Hunters Gathering will generate initial sales and ongoing revenue through post-launch content and potentially monetization. Simultaneously, the team working on Horizon 3 is building the next major flagship release.

This approach reduces risk. If one project struggles, the other can potentially succeed. It also extends the franchise's active timeline. Rather than having a complete drought of new Horizon content for four to five years, fans get Hunters Gathering in that interim period.

From a player acquisition perspective, Hunters Gathering might actually bring new players to the franchise. Someone who plays cooperative multiplayer games but has never tried a Horizon game might discover the franchise through Hunters Gathering, then buy Forbidden West or Remaster to fill the gap before Zero Dawn 3 launches.

Financially, this strategy of the multi-project approach has worked for other franchises. Final Fantasy's ecosystem approach has been lucrative. The Assassin's Creed franchise's spin-offs and side games have added substantial revenue alongside mainline releases.

Estimated data suggests that both PlayStation 6 and Horizon Zero Dawn 3 are likely to launch between 2027 and 2028, aligning strategically for a powerful hardware showcase.

Potential Challenges Horizon Hunters Gathering Might Face

While the strategic reasoning makes sense, Horizon Hunters Gathering faces real challenges in the multiplayer gaming landscape.

The cooperative multiplayer market is crowded. Games like Deep Rock Galactic, GTFO, Risk of Rain 2, Helldivers 2, and others have already established communities. Horizon will need to offer something genuinely differentiated to capture attention and retain players.

Live-service games require ongoing support and updates to survive. The player base drops significantly when content updates slow. Guerrilla Games will need to commit to a consistent update schedule for multiple years if they want Hunters Gathering to succeed long-term. This is a significant ongoing resource commitment beyond the initial launch.

There's also the player expectation challenge. Some Horizon fans might not want a cooperative multiplayer game. They want the next single-player adventure. Guerrilla's marketing will need to set expectations clearly and target the game toward the audience that actually wants this type of experience.

There's also the question of whether players will engage with Hunters Gathering's narrative campaign. Single-player narrative in multiplayer games is challenging. Players often skip story content in multiplayer games to get to the gameplay. Guerrilla will need to make the campaign engaging enough that players actually experience the canonical story content.

Finally, there's the general market saturation around live-service games. Players are increasingly cautious about live-service commitments after seeing multiple games shut down or become unmaintainable. Guerrilla Games will need to build trust and demonstrate commitment to the game's long-term success.

What This Means for PlayStation's Future

The decision to prioritize Horizon Hunters Gathering reflects broader patterns in how PlayStation is approaching its first-party studio strategy.

Sony is betting heavily on live-service and multiplayer experiences. This represents a shift from PlayStation's historical emphasis on exclusive single-player experiences like Uncharted, The Last of Us, and God of War.

This isn't necessarily a bad strategy. Live-service games generate revenue. They extend engagement. They create community. But they also carry higher risk and require long-term commitment.

By allocating significant Guerrilla Games resources to Horizon Hunters Gathering, Sony is essentially saying that building a successful live-service game is as important as delivering the next numbered sequel to one of their flagship franchises.

This has implications for PlayStation gamers. It means fewer mainline single-player games in the immediate future. It means more focus on games designed for ongoing engagement and monetization. It also potentially means better-supported games over longer periods, since live-service games receive continued updates and content.

For players who prefer focused, story-driven single-player experiences, this strategic shift might be frustrating. For players who enjoy ongoing gameplay and community, this approach might actually deliver more of what they want.

The Reality of Game Development Cycles

It's worth stepping back and acknowledging something important: game development is incredibly complex, and timelines always shift.

When sources say Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is "three to five years away," they're providing estimates based on internal planning. But plans change. Development challenges emerge. Hardware roadmaps shift. Publisher priorities evolve. Any number of factors could extend that timeline or potentially shorten it.

The "three to five years" estimate should be understood as roughly accurate, not gospel. It's possible Zero Dawn 3 could launch sooner if development goes smoothly. It's also possible the timeline could extend if major technical challenges emerge.

What we can be more confident about is the relative timeline: Horizon Hunters Gathering is launching before Horizon Zero Dawn 3. That part is clear. When exactly each game launches, though, involves uncertainty.

This is why reading industry reporting with appropriate skepticism is important. Anonymous sources provide valuable insight, but they're not perfect sources of truth. The reporting we have suggests the broad strokes are accurate, but specific timelines are estimates.

Lessons from Similar Strategic Shifts in Gaming

There are historical precedents for major franchises shifting development priorities in unexpected ways.

When Rockstar Games shifted heavily toward Red Dead Redemption 2's development, Grand Theft Auto V went through an extended period with minimal single-player content updates (though online received constant attention). Fans wanted single-player content, but Rockstar's focus was elsewhere.

When Blizzard shifted resources toward Overwatch 2's development, World of Warcraft went through extended periods with reduced content. The result was player frustration and subscription numbers that reflected that frustration.

On the positive side, when From Software committed fully to Elden Ring's development (without dividing attention across other projects), the result was a game that set new standards for the industry and revitalized interest in the studio's entire catalog.

These examples show that resource allocation decisions have real consequences. They affect the quality of the games being developed, the morale of players, and the long-term success of franchises.

In Guerrilla's case, we won't know whether this decision was right or wrong until both Horizon Hunters Gathering and Horizon Zero Dawn 3 launch and receive critical reception. From a pure business perspective, the bet makes sense. From a fan perspective, the wait is long.

Alternative Scenarios: What Could Change This Timeline

While the current reporting suggests Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is multiple years away, several factors could change that timeline.

If Horizon Hunters Gathering launches and receives a lukewarm critical reception, Sony might reconsider its resource allocation. Pulling developers back to Zero Dawn 3 could accelerate its development timeline.

If there are major technical breakthroughs or shifts in the development of next-generation console features, development timelines might accelerate or shift.

If market conditions change significantly, publisher priorities could shift. A dramatic shift in game sales trends or player preferences might prompt resource reallocation.

There's also the possibility that development has progressed further on Horizon Zero Dawn 3 than the public knows, and the game could be closer than three to five years. Industry sources sometimes don't have complete information about all development projects.

Another scenario: PlayStation could decide to launch Horizon Zero Dawn 3 on PS5 rather than wait for PS6. Given the PS5's large installed base, a cross-generational release would make business sense and would actually get the game to players sooner.

None of these scenarios are certain, but they illustrate that timelines in game development are fluid. The three-to-five-year estimate is based on current strategic direction, but current strategic direction can change.

Preparing for the Wait: What Fans Can Do Now

For players who are disappointed about the Horizon Zero Dawn 3 wait, there are actually productive ways to fill the gap.

First, Horizon Hunters Gathering is coming. Even if it's not the game fans expected, it's still Horizon universe content with canonical narrative. Approaching it with an open mind might result in genuine enjoyment and fill some of the franchise appetite.

Second, there are plenty of story-driven action games launching between now and 2028. Games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5 exclusive), and others will provide similar experiences to what Horizon fans enjoy.

Third, returning to Horizon Forbidden West or the original Horizon Zero Dawn is always an option. These games hold up incredibly well and offer tremendous value for the time invested. New Game Plus modes provide additional challenge.

Fourth, engaging with Horizon's expanded universe through other media might help. There are comics, novels, and other Horizon content that expand the franchise's story beyond the games.

Fifth, staying engaged with gaming news and industry coverage will help fans understand what's happening at Guerrilla Games and get excited about upcoming announcements. As development progresses on both Hunters Gathering and Zero Dawn 3, we'll get more information.

Conclusion: Understanding the Long Game

Horizon Zero Dawn 3 being three to five years away isn't the news fans wanted. The franchise has already experienced a five-year gap between the first and second mainline games, and this gap will potentially be even longer.

But understanding the reasoning behind this decision helps put it in perspective. Guerrilla Games is taking a calculated strategic risk by prioritizing Horizon Hunters Gathering. Sony believes in the project enough to commit major resources to it. The studio has earned the benefit of the doubt through the quality of their previous work.

The decision to prioritize a multiplayer cooperative game reflects broader trends in the gaming industry, not a unique failure of strategy at Guerrilla Games. Every major publisher is betting on multiplayer and live-service experiences alongside traditional single-player games.

What fans can reasonably expect is that Horizon Zero Dawn 3, when it arrives around the PS6 launch window, will be a significant evolution of what came before. The additional development time, targeting of next-generation hardware, and creative challenges of developing Horizon Hunters Gathering all provide opportunities for innovation and growth.

The franchise isn't going anywhere. It's just taking a different path to get to the next mainline installment. That path includes a cooperative multiplayer adventure, a long development period, and an alignment with the next console generation.

For now, Horizon Hunters Gathering becomes the main event, and patience becomes the price of admission for those waiting to return to Aloy's story. It's not ideal for fans, but it's the reality of modern AAA game development where resources are finite and strategic bets are necessary.

FAQ

When will Horizon Zero Dawn 3 be released?

Based on industry reporting, Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is estimated to be three to five years away from late 2024, placing it in the 2028-2029 window. The game is likely positioned as a PlayStation 6 launch title, though it could also release as a cross-generational PS5/PS6 title. Exact release dates have not been officially announced by Guerrilla Games or Sony.

What is Horizon Hunters Gathering?

Horizon Hunters Gathering is a three-player cooperative action game set in the Horizon universe, developed by Guerrilla Games for PlayStation 5 and PC. The game combines the franchise's skill-based combat with tactical team play mechanics and features a canonical narrative campaign with planned post-launch content updates.

Why is Guerrilla Games focusing on Horizon Hunters Gathering instead of Horizon Zero Dawn 3?

According to industry sources, Sony is committed to making Horizon Hunters Gathering a multiplayer success, which has led to the majority of Guerrilla Games' development team being allocated to the project. This strategic shift aligns with broader industry trends toward live-service and multiplayer experiences that generate ongoing revenue and player engagement.

Will Horizon Hunters Gathering's story matter for Horizon Zero Dawn 3?

Yes. Game director Arjan Bak confirmed that Horizon Hunters Gathering's narrative campaign is "fully canon" to the Horizon series. This means events in Hunters Gathering will be part of the official franchise timeline, though Guerrilla Games will likely design Horizon Zero Dawn 3 to be accessible to players who haven't experienced Hunters Gathering.

Is Horizon Zero Dawn 3 definitely coming to PlayStation 6?

Based on industry reporting, Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is "likely" to be a PS6 launch title, though sources also noted there's a chance it could be a cross-generational PS5/PS6 release. No official confirmation has been provided by Guerrilla Games or Sony regarding specific console platforms or launch timing.

What gameplay can I expect from Horizon Hunters Gathering?

Horizon Hunters Gathering is designed around three-player cooperative combat with emphasis on skill-based, tactical gameplay. Players will coordinate to face challenges within the Horizon universe, similar to other cooperative action games but leveraging Guerrilla's proven combat design and monster encounter mechanics.

How does this timeline compare to other major game franchises?

The gap between Forbidden West (2022) and the expected Zero Dawn 3 release (2028-2029) of six to seven years is comparable to other major franchises. Final Fantasy entries typically have four to five-year development cycles. The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim to the announced Elder Scrolls VI represents a 15-year gap, for perspective.

Has Guerrilla Games officially announced Horizon Zero Dawn 3?

No official announcement of Horizon Zero Dawn 3 has been made by Guerrilla Games or Sony. The information about its development timeline comes from industry sources speaking to gaming journalists, including reports that development staff were reallocated to Horizon Hunters Gathering.

Will Horizon Hunters Gathering have a single-player campaign?

Yes. Director Arjan Bak confirmed that Horizon Hunters Gathering will feature a narrative campaign described as "fully canon" to the Horizon series. The campaign is separate from the cooperative multiplayer elements and doesn't stop at launch, suggesting ongoing story content updates.

What happened to make Guerrilla shift focus from Horizon Zero Dawn 3?

Industry reporting suggests that while Guerrilla Games was developing Horizon Zero Dawn 3, Sony decided to prioritize development of Horizon Hunters Gathering as a live-service multiplayer project. Many developers working on Horizon 3 were reallocated to Hunters Gathering, with the mainline sequel pushed further into the future.

How many people at Guerrilla Games are working on Horizon Hunters Gathering?

Based on industry sources, most of Guerrilla Games' development team is working on Horizon Hunters Gathering. Exact headcount hasn't been publicly disclosed, but characterization as "most of the studio" suggests the majority of available developers are allocated to the project.

Key Takeaways

• Horizon Zero Dawn 3 is estimated to be 3-5 years away, placing it in the 2028-2029 window as a likely PlayStation 6 launch title
• Guerrilla Games has reallocated most of its development team from Horizon 3 to prioritize Horizon Hunters Gathering, a three-player cooperative game
• Horizon Hunters Gathering will feature canonical narrative content and post-launch story updates alongside multiplayer gameplay
• This resource shift reflects broader industry trends toward live-service and multiplayer games that generate ongoing revenue and engagement
• The extended development timeline gives Guerrilla Games time to optimize Horizon 3 specifically for next-generation console hardware

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