Guerrilla Games’ exciting new co-op title, Horizon Hunters Gathering, is finally giving players their first hands-on opportunity this weekend. This closed playtest kicks off on Friday, February 27 and runs through Sunday, March 1, opening up to carefully selected players on both PS5 and PC via Steam.
Whether you’re a die-hard Horizon fan eager to hunt machines in a fresh multiplayer twist or just curious about Sony’s upcoming projects, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a complete guide on how to join, eligible regions, available content, and even a handy comparison to Bungie’s Marathon server slam happening over the same weekend.
What Is Horizon Hunters Gathering?
At its core, Horizon Hunters Gathering delivers a thrilling three-player tactical co-op action game set right in the heart of the expansive Horizon universe. Developed by Guerrilla Games (the studio behind the acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West) and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this title spins off into pure multiplayer territory. Imagine teaming up with two friends to adapt your unique Hunter build, tackling intense co-operative missions against massive machine threats in a post-apocalyptic world.
Game director Arjan Bak has shared exciting details, confirming a full narrative campaign that weaves seamlessly into Horizon’s broader lore. According to Bak, expect new mysteries, characters, and threats to unfold, with the story designed to evolve even after launch through ongoing updates. This keeps the adventure alive long-term, much like the live-service elements fans love in other Sony titles.
The game launches on PS5 and PC via Steam, but keep an eye out, as no official release date or pricing details have dropped yet.
Will it be a premium title or go free-to-play? Guerrilla hasn’t spilled those beans.
Guerrilla Games unveiled the game just last week on February 4-5, 2026, marking this playtest as the very first public hands-on ever. They’ve teased more tests throughout 2026, so this is just the beginning. For extra flavor, the game includes a single-player mode with reliable NPC allies, rogue-lite perks and builds for replayability, and satisfying melee and ranged combat inspired by Monster Hunter-style hunts.
When Is the Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest?
Timing is everything for this closed playtest, running exclusively from Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1, 2026. It won’t be available around the clock, access is locked to short, specific time windows each day (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) based on your region. Mark your calendars to avoid missing out!
| Region | Time Window |
| North America | 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT |
| Europe | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM CET (6:00 PM to 9:00 PM GMT for UK) |
These slots ensure focused testing sessions, giving Guerrilla valuable feedback without overwhelming servers.
Which Regions Can Join the Playtest?
Not everyone can jump in just yet—this playtest targets North America (USA and Canada) and a wide swath of Europe. If you’re outside these areas, sit tight; more regions may open in future tests. Here’s the full list of eligible European countries for clarity:
| Eligible European Countries |
| AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LU, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR, UA |
How to Join the Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest
Getting access isn’t automatic, but the process is straightforward if you’re eligible. Follow these steps to throw your hat in the ring:
- Sign up for the PlayStation Beta Program right now at the official Playstation Beta Program Portal.
- Wait for selection. Registration puts you in the pool, but Sony handpicks participants (no guarantees, but spots are filling up fast).
- Dive in if chosen: You’ll get an email invite. Launch on PS5 or PC via Steam during your region’s active time windows on February 27, 28, and March 1.
A quick heads-up for PC players: You can’t freeload into a PS5 friend’s session, everyone on Steam must apply and get selected separately (you’ll receive a Steam key upon approval). On the flip side, PS5 players can invite up to two selected friends to form a full party of three.
Key eligibility rules to double-check:
- 18 years or older
- Valid PSN account (required even for PC players)
- Reside in an eligible region
- English language only
Invites are rolling out gradually this week via email, Discord, or social media, so check often. PC specifics: No PS Plus needed, but system specs drop soon. PS5 requires PS Plus for online multiplayer.
Is the Playtest Under NDA?
Absolutely, expect a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Selected testers can’t share gameplay footage, screenshots, or impressions publicly or via streams. All discussion stays confined to Sony’s official beta tester Discord server. This keeps early builds spoiler-free and focused on pure feedback.
As a result, you won’t see leaks flooding social media this weekend. Any coverage will come straight from Sony’s official channels.
Pro tip: Jump into the private beta Discord once invited as your input directly influences development!
What Content Is Available in the Playtest?
Even as an early build, this playtest packs a punch with meaningful content to test core loops:
| Category | Details |
| Playable Hunters | Axle, Rem, Sun |
| Game Modes | Machine Incursion: Wave-based survival (Normal and Hard)Cauldron Descent: Multi-stage dungeon (Normal) |
| Map | Colorado Springs (exclusive environment) |
| Social Hub | The Gathering: Shared space with campsite customization |
Dive into machine-slaying action, customize your camp, and team up—no in-game rewards or progress carryover, which aligns perfectly with the game’s pre-release status and lack of a live economy.
How Does This Compare to the Marathon Server Slam?
It’s no coincidence both Horizon Hunters Gathering (Sony-published via Guerrilla) and Marathon (Sony-published via Bungie) are testing this weekend, the overlap has gamers buzzing. But they’re worlds apart in scope and style.
| Aspect | Horizon Hunters Gathering | Marathon Server Slam |
| Dates | Feb 27–Mar 1 | Thu, Feb 26 to Mon, Mar 2 |
| Access | Closed (selection required) | Open (anyone joins, no reg) |
| Platforms | PS5, PC (Steam) | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam) |
| Regions | NA + Europe only | Global (full crossplay) |
| NDA/Rewards | Strict NDA, no rewards | No NDA, rewards carry to Mar 5 launch |
| Purpose | Early dev feedback (still in progress) | Final pre-launch server stress |
Horizon focuses on intimate co-op feedback, while Marathon stress-tests for its imminent launch. The scheduling quirk highlights Sony’s packed lineup, pitting Horizon’s tactical hunts against Marathon’s extraction shooter vibes. For more on Marathon, you can head to https://www.bungie.net/7/en/Marathon.
Key Summary at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
| Playtest Dates | February 27 to March 1, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5 and PC (Steam) |
| Regions | North America and Europe only |
| NA Time | 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT |
| EU Time | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM CET / 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM GMT |
| How to Access | Sign up PlayStation Beta Program, await selection |
| Playable Hunters | Axle, Rem, Sun |
| Game Modes | Machine Incursion (Normal/Hard), Cauldron Descent (Normal) |
| Map | Colorado Springs |
| NDA | Yes, no public sharing |
| Rewards | None |
| Release Date | Not announced |
| Price | Not confirmed |
If you’re in North America or Europe with a PlayStation Beta Program account, this February 27 weekend offers a rare sneak peek at one of Sony’s boldest experiments yet. The windows are short and sweet, so gear up, sign up today, and be ready to log in the second your slot opens. Happy hunting!
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