I just heard NCSoft wants Horizon’s MMO on PS5—but Sony has to say yes, and that’s telling

This Horizon MMO news matters more than it looks

Horizon: Steel Frontiers-an NCSoft-made MMO set in Guerrilla’s robot-dino universe-is skipping PS5 at launch. That’s wild on its own, given Horizon is one of PlayStation’s crown jewels. What really caught my attention, though, is NCSoft saying it wants a PS5 version but the decision sits with Sony. Translation: this isn’t a tech issue; it’s a strategic one. For players, that means a PC and mobile-first rollout, a likely focus on Asia, and a wait-and-see situation for anyone hoping to roam the Forbidden West with a DualSense in hand.

Key takeaways

• No PS5 at launch: Horizon’s MMO is confirmed for PC, iOS, and Android only-unusual for a franchise born on PlayStation.
• NCSoft wants PS5, but Sony holds the keys: platform approval is more political than technical here.
• PC/mobile focus screams Asia-first: expect design and monetization geared toward those markets.
• Guerrilla’s own multiplayer project complicates things: Sony may not want two Horizon online games colliding.

What’s actually confirmed (and what isn’t)

Steel Frontiers is an MMO built around Horizon’s world—think co-op hunts, faction play, and large-scale encounters with machines that make Thunderjaws feel like raid bosses. It’s announced for PC and mobile with no firm release date publicly pinned down and no PS5 version planned right now. NCSoft has said it’s open to a PlayStation build, but that’s dependent on Sony. So if you’re a console-first Horizon fan, the official line is basically: not now, maybe later.

Why PS5 is missing (for now)

There are practical reasons and then there’s the real reason. Practically, NCSoft lives and breathes PC and mobile. The company’s biggest hits—Lineage on both platforms, Blade & Soul, Guild Wars 2 via ArenaNet—were built for mouse-and-keyboard or touch. Launching where your operational muscle is strongest makes sense, especially for an MMO that needs relentless updates, live ops, and regional events.

The real reason, though, feels strategic: an Asia-first play. Mobile MMO spending in Korea and broader APAC dwarfs console, and PC cafes still matter. A PC/mobile rollout lets NCSoft chase the markets that move the needle, then consider consoles if the metrics justify it. It also sidesteps the console certification treadmill that can slow down patch cadence—something MMO players care about a lot.

And let’s not ignore the monetization angle. NCSoft’s mobile catalog often leans into heavy monetization models common in Asia. If Steel Frontiers follows that template—battle passes, cosmetics, maybe convenience boosts—PC/mobile gives them more freedom to iterate quickly before navigating console storefront policies and player expectations that skew more conservative.

The Sony piece of the puzzle

Here’s where it gets interesting. Guerrilla has been open about staffing an online Horizon project for years—job posts and studio updates have pointed to a cooperative experience in that universe. If Sony is juggling an internal Horizon multiplayer game and NCSoft’s MMO, it makes sense not to launch both on PS5 in the same window. Why cannibalize your own audience or muddy messaging around your first-party roadmap?

Sony’s broader live-service strategy has also been in flux. The company has publicly said it’s reassessing timelines and scope for its slate of online titles. That doesn’t mean “no” to Steel Frontiers on PS5, but it does suggest Sony wants to control the when and how, especially if Guerrilla’s project is meant to be the flagship console experience while NCSoft’s MMO courts a different audience.

What this means for players

If you’re on PS5, the immediate reality is simple: you won’t be playing Steel Frontiers natively at launch. If you’ve got a capable PC, that’s your best bet. Controller support on PC is table stakes these days, so I’d expect decent gamepad mapping even if the UI screams mouse-first at first.

Mobile players will want to watch for the usual MMO pain points: auto-pathing, stamina-like systems, and menu mazes. The upside is portability—grinding parts from a Shellsnapper while you commute sounds pretty good—as long as the touch controls don’t turn high-stakes hunts into thumb gymnastics.

The dream scenario is full cross-progression between PC and mobile, with cross-play on top. That’s become the standard for hybrid MMOs (look at how Genshin normalized it). If Steel Frontiers locks progression per platform or throttles drops behind mobile-first systems, console players waiting on PS5 might feel vindicated for holding out.

The bigger picture: console MMOs in 2025

Console MMOs are no longer a novelty—Final Fantasy XIV and The Elder Scrolls Online have shown that living games can thrive on PS5 if the cadence and support are right. But those success stories took years of iteration. NCSoft knows live ops, but translating a PC/mobile service to console is its own discipline. If a PS5 port happens, I’d expect it after NCSoft dials in retention and revenue on its home turf.

For me, the big question isn’t “Will it hit PS5?” It’s “What kind of MMO is this, really?” If Steel Frontiers nails the fantasy of teaming up to trap a Stormbird, craft specialized gear, and coordinate roles—tank with ropecasters, debuff with elemental ammo, finish with precision shots—I’m in. If it leans into timers, auto-combat, and power gaps you can only bridge with your wallet, that’s a tougher sell, PS5 or not.

TL;DR

Horizon: Steel Frontiers is PC/mobile-first with no PS5 at launch. NCSoft says it wants a PlayStation version, but Sony decides—and likely won’t move until it aligns with Guerrilla’s own multiplayer plans. If you’re console-only, keep your expectations in check and watch how the PC/mobile build handles combat depth, monetization, and cross-progression before you get attached.