Sony and NCSoft have officially pulled back the curtain on Horizon Steel Frontiers, a brand new MMORPG set in Guerrilla’s acclaimed Horizon universe. After years of rumours and scattered leaks, the project is finally confirmed, arriving with a full 10 minute development diary, a gameplay showcase, and a surprise reveal at G Star 2025 in Korea.
Built specifically for mobile devices and also releasing on PC through NCSoft’s Purple platform, Horizon Steel Frontiers promises large scale co op encounters, open world exploration, and raid style battles against the series’ iconic mechanical beasts. It will be free to play at launch, although a release date has not yet been shared.
Below is everything we know so far.
A New Horizon MMORPG Built for Mobile
Horizon Steel Frontiers marks Sony’s first major push into a mobile focused MMO set within one of its flagship universes. Developed by NCSoft in collaboration with Guerrilla, the game is described as a “full fledged MMORPG built specifically for mobile”, with the goal of letting players jump into Horizon’s world anywhere, anytime.
Jan Bart van Beek, Studio Director at Guerrilla Games, explains in the announcement video that players will take on the role of machine hunters in a region called the Deadlands, inspired by Arizona and New Mexico. The frontier is shared with thousands of other players, creating a mix of cooperation, rivalry, and unpredictable player driven moments.
While the game is designed with mobile as its primary platform, it will also be available on PC via NCSoft’s Purple service. There’s currently no mention of a PlayStation version or console release.
Fight Colossal Machines with Friends
At the centre of Horizon Steel Frontiers is what the developers call “the thrill of taking down colossal machines”. Pre alpha gameplay shows players teaming up in lush environments, ruined metal structures, and wide open deserts, all familiar to fans of the Horizon franchise.
Executive Producer Sung Gu Lee says the MMO expands the hunting mechanics of the main series by adding new systems, including picking up weapons dropped by downed machines and carrying them on mounts for later battles. Footage also shows large scale encounters where players coordinate attacks, dodge heavy strikes, and use specialised gear to bring massive robotic creatures to their knees.
The announcement trailer highlights everything from early game scavenging to full blown multi party boss fights.
Build Your Own Hunter in the Deadlands
Unlike the main Horizon titles, Steel Frontiers does not feature Aloy as the protagonist. Instead, players create their own machine hunter with full character customisation. Armour sets, weapon choices, and clan affiliations appear to offer deeper RPG progression than seen in previous Horizon games.
The game is set in the Deadlands, though its exact place within the Horizon timeline is still unclear. Sony and NCSoft haven’t confirmed whether characters from the main series will appear, or if this is a standalone story designed purely for the MMO format.
A Major Collaboration Between Sony and NCSoft
Horizon Steel Frontiers represents one of Sony’s most significant collaborations with an external developer. NCSoft, known for Guild Wars, Lineage, and Aion, brings decades of MMO expertise to the project.
The game’s existence has been rumoured since Guerrilla confirmed in 2022 that it was working on a separate multiplayer Horizon project for PlayStation 5 and possibly PC. That title is still in development, with a new cast of characters and a different art style, but Steel Frontiers is a distinct project built around mobile and cross platform play.
NCSoft debuted the MMO during its G Star 2025 showcase, revealing cinematic sequences, in engine footage, and developer commentary from both studios. The official website is now live, with more details set to roll out in the coming months.
Cross-Platform Launch, Free to Play, and No Release Date Yet
Horizon Steel Frontiers will launch on iOS, Android, and PC via Purple, with a free to play model. The development team says they aim to release the game “as soon as possible”, but no launch window has been announced.
Given the scale of the project and the early state of the footage shown, players may still be waiting a while before they can enter the Deadlands themselves.
For now, fans can dive into the debut trailer and development diary to get a first look at how Horizon’s machine hunting battles will translate into a massive, always online world.