Horizon Hunters Gathering: second playtest and new content revealed

Guerrilla Games has officially announced that Horizon Hunters Gathering will receive a second playtest, taking place from May 22 to 25, 2026. This gives players the chance to try out the multiplayer spin-off from the Horizon universe on both PlayStation 5 and PC.

About Horizon Hunters Gathering

Horizon Hunters Gathering is being developed as a cooperative multiplayer experience, marking a clear shift away from the traditional single-player setup of the earlier Horizon games. Players can team up in groups of three to take on the dangerous, animal-like machines that define the series. The game’s visual style is much more vibrant and dynamic than its predecessors, helping it stand out within the Horizon franchise.

Announcement of the second playtest

The second playtest was originally announced in a PlayStation Blog post, where Guerrilla Games emphasized its commitment to the player community. Players will need to register for the PlayStation Beta Program to take part in the playtest. Before the test officially begins, selected players will receive a notification confirming they’ve been chosen to participate.

New content and features in the playtest

The second playtest will not only let players explore the cooperative experience, but also introduces a range of new content. This includes two new playable characters: Ensa, a charismatic Oseram smuggler with a mercenary past, and Shadow, a Carja covert operative who carries out missions with the help of a fearsome Stalker machine. Returning characters Rem, Sun, and Axle are also back.

In addition, existing game modes are getting upgrades. Machine Incursion will add new difficulty settings called Hard and Merciless. For Cauldron Descent, a new region called Breakers' Bounty is being introduced, offering a variety of environments including dense jungles and ancient ruins. A major addition in this playtest is a narrative gameplay element referred to as a "playable episode," giving players a better way to understand the game’s story while battling machines.

Horizon Hunters Gathering remains in development, with player feedback from these playtests playing an essential role in shaping the game’s future. While there is still no official release date, Guerrilla Games is clearly committed to improving the experience based on community feedback.

This article updates players on the upcoming playtest for Horizon Hunters Gathering, as well as the new content and features it will include.