Guerrilla Unveils Horizon Hunters Gathering – Co???Op Hunts and Closed Playtest

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Guerrilla has announced Horizon Hunters Gathering – a new cooperative action game set in the Horizon universe and developed for PS5 and PC. The studio positions it as a team‑based expansion of Horizon’s precise combat, built around up to three players hunting lethal machines together. The project has been in testing for some time, with internal playtests shaping systems and difficulty. A closed playtest is scheduled for the end of February, and it will run via the PlayStation Beta Program. Guerrilla says this is the start of a longer cadence of development updates.

What Guerrilla Is Building

Horizon Hunters Gathering is described as a tactical, reactive, skill‑driven co‑op action game. The focus sits on coordinated team play – reading machine behaviors, responding to threats, and combining roles to control fights. The experience is designed to be challenging and replayable, with runs that push teams to plan, adapt, and execute.

Two Modes Confirmed for the Playtest

• Machine Incursion – a high‑intensity mission where waves of machines emerge from underground gateways, culminating in a boss‑led assault.
• Cauldron Descent – a multi‑stage, longer trial of shifting rooms, harsh machine encounters, and hidden doors that offer power and rewards to teams prepared to open them.

Guerrilla states that both modes will be available in the upcoming closed playtest on PS5 and PC.

Roles, Builds, and Progression

Players choose from a roster of distinct Hunters with unique melee or ranged combat styles and weapon sets. Teams can assign Hunter roles and enhance them through a rogue‑lite perk system, enabling tailored builds that suit both individual preference and squad composition. The design aims to reward synergy and iterative improvement run‑to‑run.

Campaign, Canon, and Setting

The game includes a narrative campaign introducing new mysteries, characters, and threats. Guerrilla emphasizes that Hunters Gathering is fully canon within the Horizon universe and that its story will continue beyond launch. Missions unfold across varied environments, each with its own atmosphere, challenges, and opportunities for coordinated exploration.

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The Social Hub Between Hunts

Between missions, players return to Hunters Gathering – a social space to connect, plan, and customize Hunters. Here, teams can visit vendors, upgrade gear, and assemble for the next expedition.

Platforms, Playtest Timing, and Cross???Features

The title is in development for PS5 and PC. A small‑scale closed playtest is planned for the end of February through the PlayStation Beta Program, featuring Machine Incursion and Cauldron Descent. The game supports cross‑play between PS5 and PC and cross‑progression when using the same PlayStation account.

Development Context

According to Guerrilla, the concept of hunting machines together dates back to the earliest Horizon ideation. The team drew on its Killzone multiplayer heritage and lessons from Horizon Zero Dawn to evolve co‑op combat that fits the series’ tactical DNA. The studio highlights extensive testing and iteration, with full‑team playtests serving as milestones for refining the vision.

Watch the Announcement Clip

Bottom Line – What It Means for Players

Co‑op Horizon is finally official – with small‑team hunts, defined roles, and escalating challenges focused on precision and coordination. If you follow the series or enjoy methodical team action, the closed playtest timing and cross‑play support suggest a clear path to early feedback and iteration before launch.