Horizon Hunters Gathering is a cooperative action game developed by Guerrilla Games for PlayStation 5 and PC. The game lets up to three players team up as Hunters to fight deadly machines in the Horizon universe. Combat emphasizes tactical precision and team coordination, building on the series' signature machine-hunting mechanics while introducing new dynamics designed specifically for multiplayer play.
Quick answer: Horizon Hunters Gathering does not have a confirmed release date yet. A closed playtest will take place at the end of February 2026 for players who sign up through the PlayStation Beta Program.
Horizon Hunters Gathering Release Date and Playtest
Guerrilla has not announced a full release date for Horizon Hunters Gathering. The studio confirmed that a small-scale closed playtest will begin at the end of February 2026 on both PS5 and PC. Players can register their interest through the PlayStation Beta Program to receive an invitation if selected. The developer plans to share regular development updates and additional playtest opportunities in the coming months.
The game remains in active development. Guerrilla emphasized that some features shown in early footage will be polished or changed based on player feedback from the playtests. The studio created a dedicated Discord server and social channels under the handle @PlayHorizonHG for updates.
Platforms and Cross-Platform Features
Horizon Hunters Gathering will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. The game supports full crossplay between both platforms, allowing players to team up regardless of their system. Cross-progression is also available when players log in and save their game using the same PlayStation account, meaning progress carries over between PS5 and PC.
On PlayStation 5, a PlayStation Plus membership at the Essential level or higher is required to play online. The game also supports solo play with two AI-controlled Hunter NPCs assisting during missions.
Gameplay and Combat Mechanics
Horizon Hunters Gathering centers on challenging, replayable hunts where teams of three players fight waves of machines. Combat is tactical, reactive, and skill-based. Players must read enemy movements, time attacks, and combine abilities with their squad to take down powerful machines. The game builds on the tactical precision of the mainline Horizon series while adapting mechanics for team play.
Each Hunter has distinct melee or ranged playstyles and weapons. Players can select between classes for each Hunter, changing their abilities from tank to support or tactician roles. During a hunt, a rogue-lite perk system allows players to customize their build. Every machine encounter defeated grants powerful tactical options, including perks, weapon upgrades, and stat boosts. Each run requires players to find the best combination of power-ups to face the toughest machines.
The game features a roster of uniquely skilled Hunters, each with their own motivations and personal struggles. The initial playtest will include three playable Hunters: Rem, Sun, and Axle. Guerrilla plans to expand the roster over time.
Game Modes and Missions
Guerrilla revealed two game modes for Horizon Hunters Gathering, both of which will be available in the February 2026 playtest:
Machine Incursion: This high-intensity mission has players fight to stop a large-scale machine assault on the tribes. Waves of machines pour out from underground gateways, led by a formidable boss. Squads plan and coordinate which randomized power-ups to collect before facing the relentless boss machine. Time is limited as a violent storm closes in, cutting down options to get stronger.
Cauldron Descent: This longer, multi-stage trial takes place in a Cauldron with ever-changing rooms. Hunters decide which path to take, from brutal machine encounters to challenging obstacles that all require teamwork. Every cleared chamber shapes the run and grants power-ups to descend deeper and claim rewards. Hidden doors promise additional power and rewards for teams prepared to open them.
These modes form the foundation of Horizon Hunters Gathering. Guerrilla designed them to be tough, replayable, and built for squads who want to master them. The studio will continue to evolve the modes based on player feedback throughout the playtest period.
Story and Setting
Horizon Hunters Gathering is fully canon within the Horizon universe and takes place after the events of Horizon Forbidden West. The game introduces new mysteries, characters, and threats that expand the world. Each Hunter has their own motivations and personal struggles, contributing to new stories Guerrilla wants to tell in the Horizon setting.
The game features a narrative campaign, though Guerrilla is keeping most story details under wraps. The studio confirmed that the story does not stop at launch and will continue with new adventures added over time. The campaign can be played solo with AI companions or in co-op with other players, but it will not be part of the February playtest. Guerrilla wants players to experience the story fresh when the game is ready.
Players hunt dangerous machines across a range of environments that bring missions and stories to life. At launch, the game will feature four large and distinct environments, each with its own atmosphere, challenges, and opportunities for teams to explore and master together. Known locations include Ashwater Valley and Breaker's Bounty.
Social Hub and Progression
Between missions, players return to Hunters Gathering, a vibrant social hub where they can connect, prepare, and celebrate victories together. In this hub, players can customize their Hunters, visit vendors, upgrade gear, and team up for the next adventure. The hub also includes customizable campsites where players can hang out with friends before heading back into the wilds.
Matchmaking is supported for up to three online players. The game allows solo play with two Hunter NPCs helping during missions, ensuring all content is accessible regardless of whether players have a full squad.
Art Style and Design
Horizon Hunters Gathering features a stylized art style that differs from the photorealistic visuals of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. Guerrilla chose this direction intentionally to match the dynamic, energetic nature of the co-op action gameplay. The studio believes the art style supports the fast-paced team combat and helps distinguish Hunters Gathering as its own experience within the Horizon universe.
The game includes familiar machines from the series, such as Behemoths, Bellowbacks, Bristlebacks, Dreadclaws, Glinthawks, Shell-Walkers, Stalkers, Tallnecks, and Thunderjaws. The announcement trailer also showed several unnamed machines with unique designs, including variations of Watchers with different crests and elemental features, as well as hybrid machines that combine elements from multiple known types.
Development Background
Guerrilla Games first dreamed of players hunting machines together when shaping the original ideas for the Horizon universe. The studio started with a small team exploring what cooperative action could look like in the franchise. Drawing on experience from the Killzone multiplayer titles and the momentum of Horizon Zero Dawn, Guerrilla set out to bring cooperative action into the Horizon series.
Since then, the team and the game have grown tremendously. Throughout development, Guerrilla conducted extensive testing, patching, and feedback iteration. The first in-studio playtest with the entire team marked a special milestone where the vision and hard work from every discipline came together in a playable form. The studio confirmed that multiplayer games have always been part of Guerrilla's DNA, and bringing a co-op hunting experience into the Horizon universe is something they have envisioned for a long time.
Guerrilla's studio director emphasized that the team absolutely loves making single-player games and will continue to make them. Horizon Hunters Gathering represents an additional effort to explore the Horizon universe in a different way, standing on its own while remaining very much part of the Horizon franchise.
