In the world of gaming, major titles aim to capture players’ attention with their release. However, Sony’s Horizon series always finds itself overshadowed by rival releases. The franchise is very popular and is known for delivering compelling gameplay and stunning visuals, but it has also been plagued by unfortunate timing that somewhat dilutes its release impact.
Since its inception, each major release in the franchise has somehow coincided with other blockbuster titles, leading players to call this phenomenon the Horizon Curse. Now that Sony is releasing Zero Dawn Remastered (October 31st), it coincides with the much-anticipated release of Red Dead Redemption on PC (October 29th), which is poised to capture the spotlight once again.
The origins of this curse date back to the launch of Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017, which coincided with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This highly acclaimed title not only dominated sales charts but also captured players’ hearts. While Zero Dawn also found great success, it never quite reached the iconic status of its Nintendo counterpart.
The same happened with its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, which was released in February 2022 alongside Elden Ring, a game that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Now, as Red Dead Redemption makes its way to PC on October 29th, and the remastered version of Zero Dawn is set to release on 31st October, showcasing another instance of the Horizon Curse at play.
RDR is a monumental title, known for its storytelling, expansive world, and rich character development. Its PC release comes at a time when players are very eager for high-quality experiences, especially with Rockstar’s reputation for delivering polished, engaging gameplay. The sheer scale of RDR‘s popularity can easily eclipse the spotlight that the remastered Zero Dawn might have otherwise claimed.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Horizon curse strikes again. pic.twitter.com/SEmolBrUvy
— KAMI (@Okami13_) October 8, 2024
Some players are jokingly calling it Sony’s Marketing scheme at this point.
Lol at this point this has become their marketing scheme.
— DCS (@DCSYYC) October 8, 2024
While some are laughing that the whole franchise has the worst timing.
Lmao
They have the worst timing— Drakeon8165 (@drakeon8165) October 8, 2024
Some are using the curse for new and better releases.
Can’t wait for a new Horizon in the next few years so we can have another company’s big release 😎😂
— Jhonatan (@jhonatansketch) October 8, 2024
The comments show that players are now accustomed to the curse and will be more surprised when it won’t happen. However, it still shows that even with fierce competition every step of the road, the Horizon series manages to make a name for itself and sell millions of copies.
In the gaming industry, the timing of game releases is as crucial as the games themselves. To avoid this curse from happening again, Sony needs to start making a robust marketing strategy for its Horizon series. This is especially true for a franchise that has already endured the scrutiny of being a solid yet overshadowed.
As players approach the release of RDR on PC, the presence of the Horizon Curse seems more noticeable than ever. With each major release in the series finding itself upstaged, this pattern raises questions about the franchise’s future. Sony needs to find some answer and allow the franchise to carve out its distinct identity in a crowded marketplace.
For fans of both franchises, it remains to be seen how this release cycle will play out. However, given the player enthusiasm and buzz surrounding the RDR release, it will definitely be the one that will capture the media and player attention the most.
In the end, players are clearing their schedule for the release of beloved titles such as RDR, Zero Dawn Remastered, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard around the same time.
What is the title you are most looking forward to? Tell us in the comment section below.
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