The Evolution of Guerrilla Games: From Killzone to Horizon Forbidden West

Guerrilla Games underwent a significant transformation with the release of Horizon: Zero Dawn, shifting from linear levels and space-themed games to an open-world adventure with robotic creatures. At Develop:Brighton, the studio's leadership discussed their 20-year journey, including the motivations behind creating the Horizon series. They noted that their previous IP, Killzone, was limited by its focus on the antagonists, making it challenging to craft compelling storylines. In contrast, Horizon's protagonist, Aloy, was an integral part of the pitch, and the team was thrilled to see fans cosplaying as her and even naming their children after the character. The studio acknowledged that Killzone was perhaps too Euro-centric, which may have hindered its resonance with American audiences. With Horizon, they aimed to create a more expansive and inclusive story. The team learned from Killzone that developing a new IP requires tremendous effort and that it's essential to think about the franchise as a whole from the outset. They described Killzone as a testing ground for new technology and processes, which ultimately paved the way for Horizon. The original E3 reveal of Horizon: Zero Dawn was met with excitement, and the team was relieved that their risk had paid off. However, with the success of the first game, the studio faced new challenges in creating a sequel, Horizon: Forbidden West. The team had to recapture the magic of the original while introducing new features, such as underwater and aerial exploration, which posed significant technical challenges. They also had to navigate the complexities of developing a multi-platform, multi-generation game. The studio's technical director, Michiel van der Leeuw, noted that they pushed the quality bar for the PS5 version, making it significantly better than the PS4 version. The team's core pillars for the game, including exploration, combat, and memorable characters, remained unchanged, but they aimed to strengthen and expand upon these concepts. The studio's philosophy, embodied in the acronym ACE (Amaze, Challenge, Engage), guided their approach to creating a more engaging and challenging experience. Looking ahead, Guerrilla Games is committed to continuing the Horizon series, with a Netflix TV show in the works and a multiplayer game set in Aloy's world currently in development.