Why Horizon Zero Dawn Doesn’t Need Multiplayer

During Sony’s 2015 E3 keynote address, developer Guerrilla Games unveiled their newest IP since the Killzone franchise, Horizon Zero Dawn. The post-apocalyptic epic features the battle of mankind and sentient machines who have adapted into animal-like creatures. In a recent interview, Guerrilla Games Executive Producer explained why Horizon Zero Dawn doesn’t need a multiplayer game mode.

“There are questions as to why a multiplayer will not do. The reality is that we are putting together a new IP. We are making a new franchise for the first time in 10 years and what we really want to do is improve the experience for the player. When you get to face these machines as Aloy, with this great character, who is the real star of the story and everything that happens, have this connection with her, what happens when you add the elements of multiplayer? Do you play as a supporting character? How does that work?” Norris said in a translated interview.

Norris goes on to explain why doubling down on the single player experience is key to establishing a great new IP. More importantly, creating a great story centered around protagonist Aloy is what’s most important to Guerrilla Games “we want this to be the story of Aloy. Although a multiplayer mode is great and maybe we can think of something for the future, we want Horizon Zero Dawn’s story to be about Aloy and it’s going to be fantastic when you play it.”  Norris explained.

Horizon Zero Dawn is slated for a 2016 release, exclusively for PlayStation 4.