Horizon Hunters Gathering revealed as new 3-player co-op for PS5 and PC

Guerrilla Games just unveiled Horizon Hunters Gathering, a groundbreaking new 3-player co-op action game arriving on PS5 and PC. Released today, the announcement marks a major shift for the beloved Horizon franchise, transforming the tactical machine-hunting experience into a squad-based multiplayer adventure nobody saw coming.

Two Exciting Game Modes Revealed

Guerrilla Games introduced two distinct hunting experiences launching with the game. Machine Incursion delivers high-intensity action where waves of hostile machines pour from underground gateways, culminating in battles against formidable bosses. Each mission demands quick reflexes and perfect team coordination under relentless pressure.

Cauldron Descent offers a longer, multi-stage trial that tests Hunters through brutal combat arenas and hidden doors rewarding the most adventurous squads. This mode emphasizes exploration and strategic decision-making, pushing players to adapt and overcome increasingly difficult challenges throughout extended missions.

Customize Your Hunter with Rogue-Lite Progression

Players choose from a diverse roster of uniquely skilled Hunters, each featuring distinct melee or ranged playstyles and specialized weapons perfect for different team compositions. The game features an embedded rogue-lite perk system allowing teams to craft personalized builds matching their tactical preferences before each hunt.

Hunter customization extends beyond combat loadouts. Each character possesses their own motivations and personal struggles, weaving individual narratives into the broader Horizon universe. Arjan Bak, Game Director at Guerrilla, emphasized that every squad composition tells a unique story during missions.

Gameplay Features and Social Hub

Feature	Details
Combat Style	Tactical, reactive, deeply skill-based
Team Size	Three players per squad
Cross-Play	PS5 and PC with progression sync
Social Hub	Vibrant gathering hub for customization and vendors

Between hunts, players gather at Hunters Gathering, a vibrant social hub where squads customize gear, visit vendors, upgrade equipment, and celebrate victories together. This central location serves as the emotional and logistical heart of the experience, fostering community connections while preparing teams for their next dangerous expedition.

“With the very first ideas that shaped the world of Horizon, we dreamed of players hunting machines together. Since then, the team and the game have grown tremendously. Throughout its development we’ve done extensive testing, patching, and feedback iteration.”

— Arjan Bak, Game Director, Guerrilla Games

Fully Canon Story Campaign Coming

Guerrilla confirmed that Horizon Hunters Gathering integrates fully into the official Horizon timeline, featuring its own narrative campaign introducing new mysteries, characters, and threats players haven’t encountered before. With new environments bringing unique atmospheres and exploration opportunities, each location offers distinct challenges for teams to master together.

The studio deliberately kept story details under wraps for now, promising surprises await players. Game Director Bak stated the narrative component won’t stop at launch, suggesting ongoing story updates and seasonal content will expand the universe long-term.

When Can You Play Horizon Hunters Gathering?

The closed playtest launches at the end of February 2026 for selected PlayStation Beta Program members. Interested players can register interest now via the official PlayStation Beta Program website and mark their PS5 or PC preferences. Full cross-progression support ensures playtest progress transfers seamlessly between platforms when logged into the same PlayStation Network account.

Beyond the February playtest, Guerrilla promises regular development updates and announcements in coming months. The studio launched a dedicated Discord server for community engagement and feedback, welcoming Hunters to join the conversation about the game’s future direction and features.

Sources

• PlayStation Blog – Official Horizon Hunters Gathering announcement with Game Director commentary
• IGN – Sony announcement details and gameplay reveal analysis
• Guerrilla Games – Studio confirmation and development timeline