Sony is launching a closed playtest for the live-service multiplayer spinoff Horizon Hunters Gathering this weekend, available on both PC and PS5 exclusively for members of the PlayStation beta program. The testing period kicks off this Friday, February 27, and runs through Sunday, March 1, accessible via PS5 and PC through Steam. To participate, you must already be enrolled in the PlayStation beta program (sign up here if you haven't yet) and be located in either North America or Europe.
North American servers will be active from 4 PM to 7 PM Pacific Time, while European servers will operate from 7 PM to 10 PM CET (6 PM to 9 PM UK time). The playtest will feature three hunters: Sun, Rem, and Axle, along with two distinct game modes: Machine Incursion, a wave-based survival challenge, and Cauldron Descent, a multi-stage dungeon exploration experience.
It's a bit unusual that PlayStation is scheduling this test on the same weekend as its Marathon server slam, but the company likely assumes that the player bases for each game are either limited or have different preferences, minimizing any potential overlap.
Sony had previously announced a "small-scale" closed playtest slated for late February, sharing some additional insights about the game. Described as a tactical three-player co-op action title, Horizon Hunters Gathering emphasizes customizing your Hunter for demanding missions and includes a narrative campaign that connects to the broader Horizon universe.
Game director Arjan Bak revealed that the story "will introduce new mysteries, characters, and threats, but we're keeping it under wraps for now. What we can say is that Hunters Gathering is fully canon and its story doesn't stop at launch!" As of now, there's no information on the release date or monetization strategy—whether it will launch as a premium title or adopt a free-to-play model. Are you planning to dive in and try it out this weekend?
