The anticipated MMO based in Sony’s post-apocalyptic Horizon universe is confirmed. We revealed details about the game prior to its official unveiling from an announcement video we viewed, which has now been officially released — along with additional information about the game.
The upcoming title is named Horizon Steel Frontiers, and Sony, in collaboration with the South Korean game developer NCSoft, is jointly developing this cross-platform release for PC, iOS, and Android. It will be a free-to-play title, as stated on the game’s official site. From the extensive announcement video, lasting over 10 minutes, which showcases a combination of cinematic scenes and pre-alpha gameplay clips along with developer interviews, the game will emphasize battling the giant mechanical creatures featured in the Horizon series while enabling multiplayer experiences.
Check out the official version of the announcement video here:
Sony and a PR firm associated with NCSoft have not yet responded to a request for comment. The Verge first noticed promotional images for Steel Frontiers on a platform designated for sharing assets approved for use by the media and influencers. These images were posted ahead of the official announcement during the G-Star 2025 event in Korea. The site we accessed also featured a link to a publicly accessible Google Drive containing the video.
Clips from the announcement video depict players confronting beasts and exploring vibrant natural landscapes alongside towering metal structures that may be familiar if you’ve played the Horizon games.
“Horizon Steel Frontiers is a comprehensive MMORPG that NCSoft has uniquely crafted for mobile,” asserts Jan-Bart van Beek, studio director at PlayStation’s Guerilla Games, in the video. “With Steel Frontiers, you can enter this universe anytime, anywhere. Players assume the role of machine hunters, seeking opportunities in an area named the Deathlands, inspired by regions in Arizona and New Mexico. You’re sharing this frontier with a multitude of other players, sometimes collaborating to take down machines and at times competing with rival tribes or vying for resources, which cultivates a blend of cooperation and rivalry that produces unscripted moments.”
“The main idea behind Horizon Steel Frontiers can be captured in a single phrase: the excitement of bringing down gigantic machines,” says executive producer Sung-Gu Lee in the video. “Hunting massive machines was a significant draw of the original Horizon series. Now, we’re expanding that thrill into the MMORPG realm.” Lee mentions new mechanics for combating the machines, including picking up weapons dropped by beasts and using them in subsequent battles while mounted. In conjunction with the full announcement, the Horizon Steel Frontiers YouTube channel shared a gameplay trailer showcasing encounters with creatures in the game.
The announcement video also emphasizes character customization options — in Steel Frontiers, rather than assuming the role of Aloy, who has been the primary character thus far, players will have the ability to create their own characters.
Sony and NCSoft have yet to disclose a release date, but Lee mentions in the announcement video that the team is striving to release the game “as promptly as possible.”
