Horizon Hunters Gathering: How to Join the Closed Playtest and Why Sony’s Horizon Is Going Co‑Op

This caught my attention because Guerrilla is taking Horizon out of its single‑player comfort zone and into tactical co‑op-something the franchise hinted at for years but never committed to. If you’re a Horizon fan who likes tight combat and replayable systems, this is the moment to get involved and influence how the game shapes up.

Horizon Hunters Gathering: Sony and Guerrilla’s Three‑Player Co‑Op Gamble

• Closed playtest: late‑February 2026 (end‑of‑February window, estimated Feb 26-28) via the PlayStation Beta Program.
• What it is: standalone, canonical Horizon title with 3‑player co‑op, rogue‑lite perks and a hub social space-launching on PS5 and PC with cross‑play/progression.
• Why it matters: Guerrilla is shifting franchise design toward repeatable, seasonal co‑op loops while keeping Horizon lore intact.

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Publisher|Guerrilla Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date|Closed playtest Feb 26-28, 2026; full release TBA (H2 2026 est.)
Category|Co‑op rogue‑lite action (canonical Horizon story)
Platform|PS5, PC (Steam) – cross‑play & cross‑progression
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Quick primer: what the playtest covers and who should apply

The February closed playtest focuses on core co‑op loops—“Machine Incursion” and “Cauldron Descent” modes—not the full narrative. Expect teams of three Hunters with distinct melee, ranged and support roles, rogue‑lite perk rolls each run, and fast, tactical encounters against machine swarms and bosses. Guerrilla is explicitly using the beta to tune balance, stability and cross‑play tech; your feedback here can change numbers and design before public tests.

How to join the closed playtest (5-10 minutes to register)

• Sign into your PlayStation Network account and register through the PlayStation Beta Program—search “Horizon Hunters Gathering” once signups are live.
• Complete the hardware/profile survey (PS5 or PC specs, availability windows) and accept the NDA—spots are limited.
• Link PSN and Steam if you plan to play cross‑platform; unlinked accounts can block progression.
• Prepare ~40–45GB free, a wired connection recommended, and verify system firmware/Steam client updates ahead of the drop.

What the gameplay actually looks like

Trailer and dev notes point to four launch maps, a central Hunters Gathering hub, and fast extraction‑style missions where teams gather cores or complete objectives under pressure. Hunters have asymmetrical kits—examples from the playtest build show a melee tank (Rem), a ranged DPS (Sun) and a support slot—and a per‑run perk tree that forces on‑the‑fly decisions. Combat blends Horizon’s weaponcraft with tighter, coop‑friendly encounters: override terminals, environmental traps, and boss fights that reward coordination over brute force.

Why this move is smart — and where to be skeptical

Smart: Guerrilla leverages well‑known strengths—machine design, animation, and killer weapon feel—into repeatable co‑op loops. Cross‑play and a canonical story mean this isn’t just a spin‑off cash grab; it sits in series continuity and can bring players back with seasons and perks.

Skeptical notes: “Live‑service” language and season cadence raise questions about grind, monetization and how narrative quality will be preserved across seasons. The early playtest will be telling: watch how they handle perk RNG, match stability and respawn/AI behavior—those systems make or break co‑op longevity.

What to do right now (actionable checklist)

• Register on the PlayStation Beta Program and link Steam/PSN.
• Join the official Horizon Hunters Discord and follow @PlayHorizonHG for invite waves.
• Clear SSD space and test wired NAT settings (aim for NAT Type 1/2 and <100ms ping).
• Form a three‑player squad or prepare NPC‑solo fallback—practice roles in similar co‑op titles to start building synergy.

TL;DR

Horizon Hunters Gathering is Guerrilla’s deliberate pivot to three‑player, rogue‑lite co‑op that keeps the franchise canon. The late‑February closed playtest is your best chance to shape balance and stability—register via the PlayStation Beta Program, link PSN/Steam, and be ready with ~45GB free. I’m excited because this could deliver the series’ best combat distilled into repeatable co‑op runs—but I’ll be watching how Guerrilla balances RNG, monetization and narrative ambition across seasons.