Horizon is the Latest Example of Sony Putting All Its Eggs in One Basket

Horizon is the Latest Example of Sony Putting All Its Eggs in One Basket



The Horizon franchise has been going through a bit of a renaissance as of late. From Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered to LEGO Horizon Adventures, Sony has been putting a lot of effort into growing the Horizon IP to greater heights. As Sony’s roster of exclusives continues to expand, the company has repeated this specific pattern with other franchises, as well. This method could either be great for Horizon, or it could ultimately result in lethargy.




Sony has seen a few shake-ups in the past few years, but the company most likely sees a future with Horizon. However, franchises like The Last of Us and Marvel’s Spider-Man have also received similar attention from the company, which may signal trouble ahead for the Horizon IP. The Last of Us and Marvel’s Spider-Man multiplayer games were eventually scrapped, and with Horizon‘s live-service spin-off being the next multiplayer game in the pipeline, it raises questions if the project will make it to the finish line.

Related
LEGO Horizon Adventures New Sylens Voice Actor Revealed

LEGO Horizon Adventures confirms the voice actor who will be taking over for the late Lance Reddick as Aloy’s mysterious on-and-off ally Sylens.

Sony’s Hard Push of the Horizon Franchise is a Double-Edged Sword


Horizon Spin-Offs Can Expand a Fascinating World Further

The most obvious reason more Horizon is good news for some gamers is that it means more stories and points of lore can be explored. One aspect that makes a multiplayer Horizon title so intriguing is the prospect of exploring the post-apocalyptic setting through the eyes of a character who isn’t Aloy. The robotic beasts that roam a futuristic, yet primal, setting is a unique contrast that lends itself to plenty of possibilities. However, it’s also fair to be skeptical of how far along Horizon‘s multiplayer spin-off will go, since The Last of Us and Spider-Man spin-offs met unfortunate fates. As of now, it seems like Horizon‘s live-service title is going according to plan, but past cancelations can make audience confidence waver.

Too Much Of a Good Thing

The Horizon series has been a successful IP for Sony, but leaning too hard into one franchise also presents the possibility of backfiring. LEGO Horizon Adventures is a playful remix of the series, and the multiplayer project is compelling. However, this could also run the risk of making the franchise feel bloated, potentially causing audience fatigue. If this is the case, Sony’s IP push could lead Horizon to a dead end.


With Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered and LEGO Horizon Adventures releasing so close to one another, it may already feel like a lot to some. The Horizon franchise offers plenty of fantastic features, especially with combat and exploration, but there is also the looming question of whether the franchise has the pull to be the branching heavy-hitter that Sony sees it to be.

A
Horizon: Zero Dawn
adaptation for Netflix is no longer moving forward.

Horizon’s Multiplayer Spin-Off and the Future of the Franchise


Horizon May Be Losing Its Grip, But There is Still Hope

Sony may be feeling optimistic about Horizon‘s growth potential, but the IP has already faced some rocky roads. There is the axed Netflix series, but there is also the issue of Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered performing poorly on the PS5. The low numbers on the PS5 could be a signal that interest in the Horizon franchise is dwindling, but the player count could also be bumped up as time passes.

Theories have suggested that
Horizon
‘s multiplayer title could be aiming for a PS6 launch.

Until more is revealed about Horizon‘s multiplayer spin-off, there is only speculation. On the one hand, this could reignite excitement for the series, but it could also face cancelation before potential players even get the chance to see what the game has to offer. As Horizon continues to evolve, only time will tell if its live-service spin-off will meet the same fate as The Last of Us and Spider-Man or not.


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