ResetEra users have discovered multiple new job openings at Guerrilla Games, which suggest that the studio is working on an open-world role-playing game with multiplayer features.
A vacancy for a Senior Social Systems Designer mentions features that allow players to form “Guild-like groups” to explore the world together, and the job description for a Senior Game Writer is specifically looking for someone with prior experience of narrative design in open-world RPG games, online games, and MMORPGs.
“Design features and systems to promote a healthy and fun experience for our player community, engage players in social interactions to create lasting relationships, and where compatible players can create Guild-like groups to explore together,” reads the ad for Senior Social Systems Designer. “Analyze how games utilize social interactions to promote player-to-player bond. You have demonstrable experience working on social systems (e.g. player communication, matchmaking, moderation tools, and first party platform integration).”
Both Guerrilla Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment have made it clear that Horizon Forbidden West is a single-player experience. However, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that they’re working on a standalone multiplayer experience akin to Ghost of Tsushima: Legends and The Last of Us multiplayer project. What makes this case more compelling is the fact that Horizon Zero Dawn originally included two-player co-op, but the feature was eventually scrapped because Guerrilla Games wanted to focus on other aspects of the game.
In April last year, reports emerged that Horizon Forbidden West will feature a co-op mode. It’s possible that the reports were stemming from what we’re assuming is a standalone Horizon experience in development.
