Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest Announced Amidst PlayStation Studio Closures
As PlayStation navigates a period marked by studio closures, including the recent shuttering of Bluepoint Games, the company continues to push forward with its live-service game initiatives. Guerrilla Games has announced the first closed playtest for its upcoming live-service project, Horizon Hunters Gathering, set to begin this weekend.
Horizon Hunters Gathering: Playtest Details
The playtest, announced via the game’s Steam page, will run from February 27th to March 1st. Access is limited to those registered with PlayStation’s beta program. Initially, the playtest will be available to players in North America and Europe on both PlayStation 5 and Steam.
Players participating in the playtest will have access to:
- Three playable characters
- Two game modes:
- Machine Incursion (Normal / Hard)
- Cauldron Descent (Normal)
- One region to explore: Colorado Springs
- Access to the ‘Gathering’ (social hub)
Interested players are encouraged to sign up for PlayStation’s beta program for a chance to be selected. Selection will be communicated via email.
Sony’s Live-Service Push and Recent Studio Closures
Sony’s commitment to live-service games has faced scrutiny, with previous attempts experiencing mixed results. The decision to host multiple playtests for Horizon Hunters Gathering signals a proactive approach to gathering player feedback and refining the game before its full release. This comes after the closure of Bluepoint Games, the studio behind the critically acclaimed remakes of Demon’s Souls and Shadow of the Colossus, announced on February 20, 2026, and confirmed by IGN. The closure impacted approximately 70 employees.
The closure of Bluepoint Games, acquired by Sony in 2021, followed the cancellation of a live-service God of War game the studio was developing. A Sony spokesperson cited a “challenging industry environment” as a contributing factor to the decision, acknowledging Bluepoint’s “technical expertise” and “exceptional experiences” for the PlayStation community.
The recent closures, including Bluepoint Games, highlight the challenges PlayStation faces in navigating the evolving gaming landscape and balancing its commitment to both single-player experiences and live-service offerings.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Horizon Hunters Gathering? Are you planning to sign up? Let us know down below.