Horizon Steel Frontiers, the upcoming MMORPG set in the world of Guerrilla Games’ post-apocalyptic Horizon universe, is now targeting a release in the first half of 2027.
The launch window was revealed through a new Investor Relations presentation from NCSOFT, giving fans a clearer idea of when they can expect the ambitious online RPG to arrive. The presentation does not specify whether the game will launch first in Korea or release globally at the same time, but considering the worldwide popularity of the Horizon franchise, a broader international launch seems very possible.
Horizon Steel Frontiers has been the subject of speculation for years. Rumors about an online Horizon project first surfaced back in 2022, but the game was not officially revealed until November 2025, when NCSOFT, Guerrilla Games, and Sony confirmed it as a full MMORPG designed for PC and mobile platforms.
At the time of its reveal, the project appeared to be progressing well. NCSOFT previously stated that early reception had been strong and suggested the game might arrive sometime in 2026. The newly confirmed first-half 2027 launch window suggests the project has moved slightly later than initially expected, but it also gives the development team more time to polish what could become one of the most anticipated MMORPG releases in the coming years.
Horizon Steel Frontiers will take players to a new region known as the Deadlands. This large open-world area is inspired by the landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico, offering a different setting from the locations explored in the mainline Horizon games. The game takes place around the same period as Aloy’s story in the north, meaning its timeline appears to overlap with the events of Horizon Forbidden West.
It is still unknown whether Aloy or other major characters from the main Horizon series will appear in Horizon Steel Frontiers. However, the game is being designed as a large-scale online experience with many familiar MMORPG features. Players can expect towns, guilds, raids, and a world built around cooperation, exploration, and combat against the series’ iconic machine creatures.
NCSOFT has also confirmed that it is working closely with Guerrilla Games to make sure the MMORPG feels authentic to the Horizon universe. That collaboration will likely be important for fans who want the new game to respect the tone, visual identity, and world-building that helped make the franchise so popular.
Another notable detail is that NCSOFT has openly acknowledged using AI tools extensively during development. While the company has not provided a full breakdown of how those tools are being used, the statement suggests they are playing a meaningful role in helping build the game’s large open world and online systems.
A PlayStation 5 version has also been mentioned as a possibility, though it has not been officially confirmed. Since Sony owns the Horizon IP, the final decision on whether Horizon Steel Frontiers comes to PS5 will likely rest with Sony. For now, PC and mobile remain the announced target platforms.
Beyond Horizon Steel Frontiers, NCSOFT’s roadmap includes several other major releases. The MMO shooter Cinder City, the 3v3 survival shooter Time Takers, and the anime action RPG LIMIT ZERO BREAKERS are all planned for the second half of 2026. The global release of AION 2 is also expected during that same period.
Looking further ahead, NCSOFT has listed additional projects beyond 2027, including the newly announced subculture RPG Astrae Oratio, the cyberpunk shooter DEFECT, and an FPS project currently known by the codename Bonfire.
ArenaNet, a subsidiary of NCSOFT, is also teasing a Guild Wars-related announcement for Summer Game Fest. However, that project does not appear clearly in the latest roadmap unless it is connected to one of the two spin-off titles planned for release this year.
With its mix of open-world exploration, MMORPG systems, machine battles, and the rich lore of the Horizon universe, Horizon Steel Frontiers has the potential to attract both long-time fans of the series and players looking for a new large-scale online RPG. The first half of 2027 may still be some time away, but the newly confirmed release window gives the project a clearer place on the gaming calendar.
