Leaked Horizon multiplayer footage looks nothing like the game, and fans are torn

Leaked Horizon gameplay footage for the upcoming multiplayer spin-off is worrying fans of the series with its apparent art style.

Towards the back end of 2022, rumours were making the rounds that Horizon developer Guerrilla Games had plans to work on a multiplayer spin-off for the series. What’s more, rather than Guerrilla taking the helm, the multiplayer game would instead be developed by NCSoft, the studio responsible for Guild Wars and Lineage.

Check out the trailer for Horizon Forbidden West's new DLC, Burning Shores, here:

However, on 16 December 2022, Guerrilla Games acknowledged the rumours of the multiplayer spin-off in a tweet advertising job vacancies within the studio.

The tweet revealed that Guerrilla Games is: “continuing to create epic solo adventures for Aloy. But there is more,” and that a “new internal team is developing a separate Online Project set in Horizon’s universe.”

The post continued: “Featuring a new cast of characters, and a unique stylised look, friends will be able to explore the majestic wilds of Horizon together.” While being very vague on details, this tweet all but confirmed that the rumoured multiplayer game was in fact in production.

At this time, we don’t know for sure whether the Horizon multiplayer game will be free-to-play or paid-for. Furthermore, we don't know if it will be a co-op-based or competitive game. However, alleged leaked footage as well as concept art has given us an inkling as to what to expect.

An alpha build of the apparent Horizon multiplayer game has leaked on Reddit. The leaked footage reveals a quite large map with playable characters exploring the area. While there is no interaction or combat in the footage, the animation movements do appear to be very similar to that of Aloy from Zero Dawn and Forbidden West.

Despite being a very early build, some fans are not happy with its Fortnite-inspired art style and that was a hot topic of discussion in the Reddit thread.

“I really really really really really really really hope that they keep it closer to the games, that looks hideous and VERY far from the style of Horizon,” said ALF839. “Those characters have no continuity with the main games.”

“Looks good but the player models need to be changed. They look like Fortnite characters,” added TheAncientKnight. “huge pass on this crap. Looking forward to Horizon 3 on PS5 tho,” exclaimed notsayingitwasalien. Reddit user negoendlans wasn't overly impressed either, saying: “Hate this art style so much, yuck....”

However, there were some positive comments with many liking its art direction and many were quick to point out that this footage is allegedly from an alpha build from 2020.

“Thank you for sharing this, it's so interesting! I personally don't have a problem with them trying a new style and it's obvious this is very early,” said the defending robo_dino_puppy. “Some of these comments are embarrassing. Guerrilla knows what they're doing and when they reveal this it's going to look amazing as intended,” added Jack17reeves.

As we mentioned earlier, we do not know what kind of multiplayer game this spin-off might be. However, an alleged leaked concept art image featuring a cartoon art style shows four hunters battling a Thunderjaw from the Horizon series. So could this mean that the spin-off might be a co-op game akin to the likes of the Monster Hunter series? Only time will tell.

Finally, rumours and leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt until proven otherwise. That being said, this leaked gameplay and concept art appear to be legit. Hopefully, Guerrilla Games will reveal official details in the coming months.