NCSOFT announces MMORPG Horizon Steel Frontiers for PC, iOS, and Android
The first MMORPG in the Horizon universe.
Publisher and developer NCSOFT, under license from Sony Interactive Entertainment with support from PlayStation Studios and Guerrilla Games, has announced Horizon Steel Frontiers, a massively multiplayer online RPG set in the world of the Horizon series. It will be available for PC via PURPLE, iOS, and Android. A release date was not announced.
Here are the first details, via its official website:
- Genre – The first MMORPG in the Horizon universe. A fierce survival adventure in a world where threats lurk at every turn.
- World – Deadlands, a frontier for machine hunters. Embark on a new journey across an awe-inspiring landscape and a vast open world.
- Combat – Inspired by Horizon’s familiar hunting action. Experience large-scale raids with an advanced combat system.
- Platforms – Mobile and PC via PURPLE. Free play within one seamless world.
- Customization – Forge your own machine hunter in a post-apocalyptic world. Create your identity with deep customization and boundless freedom.
And here are some comments from NCSOFT chief corporate officer Taekjin Kim, Guerrilla Games studio director Jan-Bart van Beek, and NCSOFT executive producer Sung-Gu Lee, via the announcement video:
Taekjin Kim, NCSOFT Chief Corporate Officer
“When I fist experienced Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017, I was instantly drawn into its vibrant and captivating world. The battles against colossal machine lifeforms were exhilarating and the mysterious narrative sparked my curiosity, urging me to explore every corner of that universe. Yet I couldn’t help but feel a little wistful that such an incredible world had to be experienced alone. I imagined how thrilling it would be to meet others, to team up and face these massive machines together.
“From the beginning, I was convinced: battling machine lifeforms would be far more exciting than facing any fantasy monster. That vision inspired us to create an MMO set in this extraordinary universe. And today, I’m proud to present Horizon Steel Frontiers—a dream realized. Horizon Steel Frontiers represents a new challenge for NC, and the start of an exciting journey ahead. We hope you look forward to this new Horizon born from the collaboration between NC and Guerrilla.”
Jan-Bart van Beek, Guerrilla Games Studio Director
“I was the one who originally came up with the concept of the Horizon franchise. The Horizon franchise is incredibly special to me and to everyone at Guerrilla. It’s a world we’ve poured our hearts and souls into. It’s a place where humanity, nature, and technology are constantly colliding. It’s become a vibrant and living world full of stories, tribal cultures, and of course, those incredible animal-like machines that rule the land.
“From the very beginning of creating this franchise, we’ve imagined the Horizon universe as one that could be experienced in many different ways. Horizon Steel Frontiers is a full-fledged MMORPG that NCSOFT has built specifically for mobile. With Steel Frontiers, you can step into this world, anywhere, anytime.
“Players take on the role of machine hunters, chasing opportunity in a region called the Deadlands, which is inspired by Arizona and New Mexico. You’re sharing the frontier with thousands of other players, sometimes working together to take down machines, and other times competing with rival tribes or fighting over resources. And that mix of cooperation and competition creates moments you could never script.
“At the heart of the Horizon story is the search for the balance between humanity, nature, and technology. Sometimes that’s harmony, sometimes that’s conflict. But it always creates a world filled with mystery and beauty. What we want players to feel is the world’s resilience and its hope. And that even when everything seems overwhelming, humanity can adapt, can survive, and find meaning in the world.
“We already had groups at Guerrilla playing Horizon Steel Frontiers together at the office, and it’s really amazing. Whenever I get a chance to jump in on an early gameplay test, what really stands out is Steel Frontiers‘ distinct tone and atmosphere. It has a unique identity of its own, and has been brought to life by NCSOFT’s developers. But it fits perfectly with the Horizon universe, and that balance with the essence of Horizon and something fresh is what really excites me about this project.”
Sung-Gu Lee, NCSOFT Executive Producer
“I’m a bit nervous to present this project to the world for the first time, but at the same time, I’m extremely excited. The core concept of Horizon Steel Frontiers can be summed up in one phrase: the thrill of taking down colossal machines. Hunting massive machines was one of the greatest appeals of the original Horizon series. And now, we’re expanding that experience into the world of MMORPGs.
“Our main focus is designing a new combat experience tailored for an MMORPG. In Horizon Steel Frontiers, 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. During battle, you can even pick up weapons dropped by the machine, carry them on your mount, and use them in subsequent fights. At the heart of giant machine hunts are two core values. cooperation and strategy. Players must take on their roles, act strategically, and work together seamlessly. These combat mechanics truly shine in large-scale battles, offering the scale and dynamism that only an MMORPG can provide.
“In Horizon Steel Frontiers, every player is a hero. 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. You can choose from diverse tribes such as Nora, Tenakth, Utaru, or Oseram, and create your character based on your preferred tribe. Our system provides a high degree of freedom, so you can design your character exactly as you envision—from facial features, body type, and hair, to makeup and finer details. The characters you create can be shared with other players, allowing you not only to show off your own style, but also draw inspiration from others to further customize your hero. Step into Horizon Steel Frontiers as a truly unique machine hunter, crafted entirely by you, and explore a world where your individuality matters.
“In the world of Horizon Steel Frontiers, you’ll be able to develop your own character, team up with friends to hunt colossal machines, and live the story of a machine hunter in the Deadlands. We can’t wait to see you all become the heroes of this adventure, and we’re doing our best to make that day come as soon as possible.”
Watch the announcement video and gameplay trailer below.