Guerrilla Games Confirms End of Killzone Series, Doubles Down on Horizon Franchise

By Anshul╺

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The gaming world received definitive news about the fate of a beloved franchise yesterday. Guerrilla Games, the Dutch development studio behind the Killzone series, has officially confirmed they’re moving on from the sci-fi shooter franchise for good.

A New Creative Direction

Roy Postma, Art Director at Guerrilla Games, told The Washington Post that the studio needed to refresh its creative palette. The team has found its new calling in the critically acclaimed Horizon series, which offers a dramatically different tone from Killzone’s gritty sci-fi warfare.

Why the Change?

The shift makes sense from multiple angles:

  • Broader audience appeal
  • More relatable storytelling themes
  • Greater commercial success
  • Fresh creative opportunities

“The issues that are touched upon in the story of Horizon are relatable to people of all ages,” Postma explained. “These are topics like finding family and friends or finding your place in the world.”

The Legacy of Killzone

The last Killzone title, Shadow Fall, launched in 2013 as a PlayStation 4 launch title. While some fans might hope for Sony Interactive Entertainment to transfer the IP to another studio, industry experts consider this unlikely given the company’s current focus on narrative-driven experiences.

Looking Forward

Guerrilla’s commitment to the Horizon franchise has already proved successful with Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West achieving both critical and commercial success. The studio’s dramatic shift from dark sci-fi shooters to vibrant action-adventure games demonstrates their ability to evolve while maintaining high production values.

The news might disappoint Killzone fans, but it reflects a broader industry trend where studios increasingly focus on franchises that can reach wider audiences while telling more diverse stories.

SourceWashington Post