An upcoming game by Horizon: Zero Dawn developer Guerrilla Games aims to promote human connection by creating experiences that will urge gamers to play together and "form lasting friendships." Guerrilla Games is known for its Horizon and Killzone franchises, which focus more on single-player adventures.
In late 2022, it was revealed that Guerrilla Games may be working on a multiplayer Horizon game. The developer confirmed this by stating that a new internal team in Amsterdam is working on a separate online project set in the franchise's universe. As it stands, the team seems to be focusing on the Horizon series moving forward, with the aforementioned title and a probable sequel to Horizon Forbidden West being the next listings on its plate. However, a recent job posting on the Guerrilla Games website may show what the company's next project may be.
According to the website, Guerrilla Games is looking for a Senior Social Systems Designer who has a passion for bringing "players together to form lasting friendships." The job description further describes the need to design "innovative features to build, engage, and nurture player interactions and relationships." While there are no specific details on which game or franchise this listing is for, this would seem to tie in with the previous suggestion of an online game where players may be required to work together.
Multiplayer games seem to play a different role than single-player titles, as they can help create relationships and form bonds between gamers. There are quite a few games that need a certain level of cooperation between players, such as It Takes Two and A Way Out by indie developer Hazelight. Some people even use games as a form of connecting with others romantically. It's great to see Guerrilla Games trying something outside of its forte in the hopes of encouraging social interaction between people.
With the pandemic creating a demand for remote connections, Guerrilla Games' intent to nurture interactions and relationships may be a way of further innovating the way multiplayer moments are created. While no specific suggestions were discussed on how these will be achieved, a lot of developers are making strides in creating games that encourage playing with friends, such as Animal Crossing or Fortnite. Hopefully, the trend continues and Guerrilla comes up with some interesting ways to create memorable experiences with others.