Horizon Hunters Gathering will hold its first closed playtest from February 27 through March 1, 2026. Guerrilla Games opened registration this week for this cooperative multiplayer shooter, letting fans enter a drawing for early access slots on both PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. The studio plans to use this weekend event to test server load and fine-tune the team-based combat before a wider launch later this year.
What You Need to Know About the Beta
- Dates: February 27 – March 1, 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam)
- Heroes Available: Axle, Rem, and Sun
- Mission Types: Machine Incursion and Cauldron Descent
- Map: Colorado Springs (single map for this test)
- Access Method: Email codes sent to selected registrants
Your First Look at Horizon Hunters Gathering
Guerrilla Games is branching out from single-player storytelling with Horizon Hunters Gathering, a new online co-op experience set in the post-post-apocalyptic world fans have grown to love. Unlike the solo adventures of Aloy, this title focuses on squad-based tactics where three players team up to take down massive mechanical beasts.
From what we’ve seen, the combat keeps the sharp shooting and weak-point targeting that defined earlier Horizon games, but adds new layers of team coordination. Each hunter fills a specific role, forcing groups to communicate or risk getting trampled by a Thunderjaw.
How to Sign Up
You can register for the closed test right now through two channels. PlayStation users should head to the official PlayStation Beta Program page, while PC players can sign up directly through the game’s Steam store page. Keep in mind that joining the list does not promise a spot. Guerrilla will pick testers at random and send download codes via email before the event starts.
We tested the sign-up flow ourselves, and it takes under two minutes to complete. You will need a valid PlayStation Network ID or Steam account to finish the process.
Meet the Heroes and Missions
The Horizon cooperative multiplayer beta includes three distinct playable characters. Axle serves as the heavy hitter, soaking up damage and drawing machine aggression away from allies. Rem focuses on support, healing teammates and marking enemy weak points for the group. Sun brings speed and precision, flanking targets to strike exposed components.
Players will test these kits across two mission types. Machine Incursion drops your team into an open area to defend against waves of aggressive robots. Cauldron Descent sends you deep underground into dark, tight corridors to sabotage machine factories from within. Both modes demand constant voice chat and quick revives when a Bellowback catches you out of position.
“Watch my back while I hack this door,” you might hear a teammate say during Cauldron Descent. That tension between holding off enemies and completing tasks drives the loop.
Colorado Springs: A Vertical Battlefield
All action during this test unfolds on one map based in Colorado Springs. The area offers multiple levels of elevation, letting sharpshooters perch on crumbling overpasses while brawlers engage below. We noticed plenty of ziplines and climbable surfaces that reward players who scout ahead.
Guerrilla chose this single setting to keep data clean. By limiting variables, the team can spot bugs faster and measure server response times under stress. If you get in, expect some rough edges. This is a technical test first, and a game demo second.
How It Stacks Up Against Marathon
The timing of this Horizon online co-op test raises eyebrows. Bungie is running an open server slam for its extraction shooter, Marathon, during the exact same weekend. Both titles target the live-service market, but they approach access differently.
While Marathon opens its doors to anyone with a PlayStation or PC, Hunters Gathering keeps its beta closed and invite-only. This choice likely prevents server crashes from too many logins. From our perspective, Guerrilla wants quality feedback over raw player counts at this stage.
The two games also differ in pace. Marathon leans toward slow, methodical looting and permadeath tension. Horizon Hunters Gathering focuses on faster combat loops and persistent character growth between matches. Think of it as the difference between a stealth raid and a heroic strike.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Horizon Hunters Gathering beta start?
The closed beta begins on February 27, 2026, and ends on March 1, 2026. Selected players will receive email invites with download codes prior to the start date.
Is Horizon Hunters Gathering free to play?
Guerrilla has not announced pricing yet. The beta test is free for selected participants, but the final release may follow a premium model or include seasonal battle passes.
Will my progress carry over to the full game?
No. Based on our experience with similar technical tests, all unlocks and character levels will reset when the game officially launches later this year.
What makes this different from Horizon Forbidden West?
Forbidden West is a single-player role-playing game with a deep story. Hunters Gathering is a multiplayer-only title built around short co-op missions with friends or matchmade groups.
Can I play Horizon Hunters Gathering solo?
The beta requires a three-person squad, though the final game may offer AI teammates or scaling difficulty for solo players. Guerrilla has not confirmed solo support yet.
Based on our hands-on time with the registration process and early footage, Horizon Hunters Gathering shows real promise for fans wanting to share the hunt with friends. Mark your calendars for February 27, and check your inbox for that golden ticket code. We will keep our eyes on Colorado Springs as Guerrilla prepares for the full launch.
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