While LEGO Horizon Adventures was rumoured shortly before its official unveiling, the announcement trailer still managed to surprise everyone watching. As the game's fun debut came to a close, the platforms faded in, and we saw not just PS5 and PC, which were expected, but also Nintendo Switch. While Sony has brought its annual MLB The Show series to Switch the last few years, Horizon is one of its tentpole exclusive franchises, and we were very surprised to see it confirmed for another console.
In order to find out the reasons why, we ran the question by Guerrilla Games' narrative director James Windeler at Summer Game Fest Play Days. The answer we received shouldn't come as much of a surprise; it turns out the development teams simply wanted the game to reach more people.
"When we approached this game, we wanted to make sure that it was for everyone," Windeler says. "[That philosophy] has informed every creative decision, and bringing [LEGO Horizon Adventures] to Nintendo Switch is part of that."
He continues: "We're trying to bring as broad an audience as possible to this game and to the franchise. And the Switch has a family-friendly audience, and it's a really good fit in order to expand."
Windeler also speaks about how he personally is looking forward to experiencing the game with friends and family across its various platforms. "With this game, I can play on the couch with my wife, I can play with my hardcore Horizon friends on the other side of the world [online], and now I can also play with my nieces, who are 11 and 8. A lot of the games I've worked on, I haven't really had the opportunity to play with them, because our games are for older audiences. I'm really excited to see how they engage with the humour, and with Aloy as a protagonist and all that."
That's about it, then. Studio Gobo and Guerrilla Games simply wanted to have the game reach a wider group of players, and seeing as the game is this family-friendly take on the series, bringing the game to Nintendo Switch makes sense in that regard.
What do you think of a Horizon game coming to the Switch? Where will you be playing LEGO Horizon Adventures? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments 51
I will not even allow that LEGO game touching both of my Switch and PS5 machines.
That Sony IP must stay away from my gaming area.
That's PR speak for "the LEGO license is expensive as hell and our publisher needs their money back expeditiously"
So why than not on Xbox?
Xbox: am I a joke to you?
So are we believing him? I know I do but I saw at least a few people on here surmising Lego was making the call. Oh, also, probably make a lot of sales on Switch to more than recuperate the cost.
Funny how he keeps saying things like:
"We're trying to bring as broad an audience as possible"
"we wanted to make sure that it was for everyone"
Yet no PS4 version, which last I checked had about double the install base of PS5, and no Xbox version of any kind. 🤷♂️
OK @Savage_Joe made the Xbox comment better than I did, but it takes me a while to type. 😂
Basically they wanted their game to be popular amongst younger players so that when they grow up they may invest into Zero Dawn, Forbidden West and any future games, to me it's a sound strategy as Nintendo most likely has the youngest player base of all three consoles. Pretty sure that Lego games in general sell best on the Switch as well so it's a no brainer.
Same excuse that Phil give with Doom when some months ago they didn't want to share anything with PS, now they need numbers and I hope that they are just attracting gamers to the brand on PS and not just testing waters to release everything everywhere...
@rjejr "Yet no PS4 version, which last I checked had about double the install base of PS5, and no Xbox version of any kind. "
Yeah practically this. If it can run on Switch it can run on PS4 which still has a gigantic userbase, so it can't be that they want as many people as possible to play it! Apart from that it could have easily been made for the Series consoles and Xbone as well... what's really going on here 🤔
No ps4, no xbox.
Just pr talk. They want to do business and earn as much money for as little effort as possible.
As much as I make fun of Phil Spencer's annoying PR "good guy gamer" answers, I will apply the same brush here. This is utter nonsense. The real reason is that they need more money to pay the licensing fees and Lego more than likely demanded a Switch release as part of the deal.
"We put it on Switch because we felt like it, now ***** off."
I sort of believe also so young Switch owners get into a big Sony ip horizon in this case.
Then when they want to move onto the big flash console the PS5 has Horizon and connection with the horizon Lego game on Switch.
If so that’s a smart move for Sony.
It is what it is. It's still a Lego game at the end of the day so it's not really surprising to see it come to the Switch.
Why no PS4?
Sony are gradually shutting down PS4 production and they doesn't even report the hardware sales anymore. It's obvious Sony wants to moved on from PS4 and fully focus their production and marketing for PS5.
Why no Xbox?
Making this game for Xbox is a waste of resource. The console sold like crap around the world and a big headache to optimize between Series S and X. Not to mention MS definitely gonna demand to put this game on GamePass from day 1 and that will cut a lot of sales.
Why Switch?
It sold 140 millions units and has a lot of young audiences which is a great market for a Lego game. Plus, they are potential customers in the future who will buy a PS and mainline Horizon.
Sony covered enough ground with just PS5, PC, and Switch although i can see they port this game for mobile.
@rjejr @Tecinthebrain the ps4 may have sold double the amount of ps5, but majority of those ps4 owners will have upgraded to ps5, some will be a 2nd or 3rd purchase (due to breakage etc) and some just won’t be used anymore (gone to pc/xbox/dont game anymore etc etc)
So by now that ps4 only crowd will be dropping.
Lego needs money to pay for them Disney licenses.
Thanks Sony! Buying on switch!
@Savage_Joe @Sanquine Surely, assuming what this guy says is true, you can see a difference between the ~25 million hardcore Xboxs and the ~150 million family-friendly Switches?
@Malaise It being a kids game isn't the problem for him as all he goes on about is kids games on NintendoLife, he hates violence of any kind (even pokemon) and so he's saying he doesn't want Lego Horizon as the IP is violent.
Yet his profile picture doesn't add up.....
Im sure it was developed for the next switch console. It may work for the current switch but the devs wouldnt pour it all into nintendo if they didnt have machine to handle it. With the rumors being the next switch is comparable to the ps4 makes alot of sense and i hope the next switch sees a ton of playstation games. Why would sony make a new handheld hardware when they could just partner with nintendo in any form…
@PuppetMaster "It's obvious Sony wants to moved on from PS4 and fully focus their production and marketing for PS5."
Many of us wanted them to move on from the PS4 so they could take full advantage of the PS5's power! That's not happening here, if is running on the potato that's Switch then they could probably make a PS3 version as well.
James Windeler said "We're trying to bring as broad an audience as possible to this game and to the franchise" if that's the case it should come out on everything unless of course he's a giant liar which is the most likely scenario.
@Yaycandy "Why would sony make a new handheld hardware when they could just partner with nintendo in any form…"
So when we buy a PS5/PS4 game we are able to use that copy on the go with Sony's handheld? I don't wanna have to buy games twice to be able to use on the go.
Also what are we getting in return from this Nintendo partnership? Is Nintendo going to port some of their games to PlayStation? The answer is no of course not, everyone gets to give them their games and in return they don't have to share anything... Great partnership 👍
They put in on Switch because the console is a juggernaut and the typical PS5 install base probably isn't much interested in the game.
Seems pretty obvious, methinks. It does beg the question why they made it in the first place. But it looks really good and I'm a fan of LEGO games and the Horizon IP (even though I kinda hated Forbidden West), so I'm certainly not complaining.
@Savage_Joe yes they are. Sales wise they mustve found the Xbox to not really move the needle. We know Lego games have incredible legs on Nintendo and Playstation.
@Juanalf Nintendo has kinda shared in the past. They own/d The Wonderful 101 but relinquished their ownership so Platinum could bring it to every modern console. I would guess something similar happened to LEGO City Undercover. They even recently agreed to allow Goldeneye on Xbox. If it's not an IP rooted in their brand and a partner asks for their blessing, they don't seem to much care.
Although I don't know what this "what are we getting in return" business is, as though you're a representative of Sony. If PlayStation wanted to release their stuff on Nintendo's hardware, that's their prerogative. You wouldn't personally get something out of it and Nintendo wouldn't owe Sony anything. And if you're asking what Sony gets out of it — LITERAL MONEY. They don't do business on your behalf, they do it for money.
I think with this and ASTRO Sony really want to try and get a wider variety of games aimed at younger audiences. Astro is the kind of game they know will do well as exclusive. Lego Horizon is a harder sell to the Playstation only player base.
All this demonstrates to me is Sony has little interest in making PS5 a desirable platform to own when they're voluntarily going 3rd party. Designing 1st party games for PC and now Switch means the games will fundamentally be made for the lowest common denominator going forward, and the PS5 (in its 4th year) is still just a glorified PS4 Pro Pro.
For a family friendly audience I think it makes sense. It's just very unexpected to go to Switch besides just the for kids/families sales the Switch has of audiences besides many of us adults seeking other games or factors of the Switch. I think the game on Switch is fair to have for sure. If they want to broaden things they will be PC or Nintendo makes sense. That or because Xbox they know sales might not be much? Not just competition and seeing Nintendo as less of competition because they mostly do their own thing and the sales of Switch are worth it to them.
This game has always been a because Horizon is very particular of it's appeal yet also Lego fits the mature but more well handled approach. To me it's just a introduction through something else to the other. But for Switch audience also then just PS5 then playing the other games on PS5 or because those audiences didn't play it (not just because Horizon isn't on Switch). It's an introduction game and fans may dip into it as well. It's understandable but eh. To me Horizon's world/story was good the gameplay bored me how it was done. A Lego skin/structure isn't doing to do much I find but for other people it may. The Lego feel here is different but who knows how it actually turns out. The Lego game elements Travelers Tales offered at least did a fair job of their own humour/feel besides the movie licenses/other Lego sets to make games from. Depends how this one goes about things.
As much as people are on PS4 I mean the few with a Switch/Xbox or PC or playing other games. I can see the reason for the moving people on to modern platforms and that's fair. To me I mean to Disagea 7 was on Switch so I got it there. Demo for PS4 was there but no physical PS4 I saw. So focusing on current gen is fine. Some Xbox resources is a fair amount of effort for sure or audience being clear as far as data then data of the personality of people on Xbox and other platforms that no matter their age will play something fun and family friendly that data can't be made clear of by age alone.
Whether fits the Horizon Zero Dawn remake rumours who knows. The multiplayer game though even no clue there either.
The game itself may be great but to me the Switch aspect is fair, the brand part is what scares me to go welp there goes creativity because brand matters more. Sigh if Astro flops I'm going to be sad but not surprised the market disappoints me every day as it is yet I go my own modern or retro gaming path. At least enough Hardcore will pick it up then other IPs no matter what form people gravitate towards.
So is this the rumored HZD remake? Or is that something else?
If its Lego calling the shots here:
If you cant make the game PS5 exclusive - Dont make it at all! Make a different PS5 exclusive!
Putting your IPs on other formats kills your platform - just look at the mess MS are in now.
So basically, you're a 3rd Party Publisher. And yes keep doing all these moves, this WILL make your platform less desirable when it comes to the consoles, we literally watched Phil do this to Xbox over the past 2 gens. It's lego now, then it's Horizon itself and Astro Bot next on Switch 2 coming directly from Guerrilla or Nixxes lol. And they will justify it at every turn. We got Hulst out here saying that he's using tentpole titles to convince PC gamers to buy a PS5, that's basically gaslighting at this point.
Then why isn't it on PC and Xbox and Netflix lol?
Guess it’s just impossible for Sony to be able to make it for Xbox then if they were going for as broad as possible. Some pretty amazing ineptitude if true. Yikes?
@Tecinthebrain "That's not happening here, if is running on the potato that's Switch then they could probably make a PS3 version as well."
This isn't just about hardware capability between PS4 and Switch.
For starter. Switch is still alive and selling like hotcakes (140+ million units). Which means the time and money to make a Switch version will be worth it because the platform has plenty of young audiences who will gobble up Lego games.
On the other hand, PS3 already RIP bro like for years lol. So there's no reason to make this game for PS3 even IF the machine can run it. And did you read what i said about Sony is gradually shutting down PS4 production to the point they stop reporting PS4 hardware sales anymore? It means PS4 will follow PS3 sooner than later. The console is almost 11 years old ffs. So the time and money to downgrade this game for PS4 isn't worth the shot.
"if that's the case it should come out on everything unless of course he's a giant liar which is the most likely scenario"
Like i said. PS5, PC, and Switch already enough to reach every audiences that will play this game. And they probably will port this game for iphone 15 or any current mobile later down the line.
Btw, there're more and more games skipping out PS4 like Spider-Man 2, Helldivers 2, Stellar Blade, Rise of the Ronnin, Tekken 8, Astro Bot, SH 2 remake, MGS 3 remake, MH Wilds, FF VII Rebirth, etc etc. You should accept the fact that PS4 is sooner than later will be abandon by the majority of publisher/devs.
Look, it's fine if that Sony doesn't want to publish the game to Xbox or PS4, but don't turn around and ay "For Everyone" when it's not.
When has a Lego game for this much attention? There's nothing to complain about. Stop basing your existence on exclusives and enjoy gaming.
@get2sammyb day one on gamepass and it should’ve been a done deal
@RoomWithaMoose I’m pretty sure he meant something like Mario or Zelda but it’s not happening since Nintendo is protective of their IP (can’t really blame them). This game is on Switch so it can appeal to younger audiences. But say a Lego Mario or Zelda happens, well it doesn’t necessarily need to be multiplatform, it can stay as Nintendo only since Lego games are primarily geared towards younger audiences and Nintendo is perfect for that type of audience. And ofc you could say Sony did this cuz “more money”.
@Savage_Joe Pretty sure everyone consider Xbox a joke now. It's a pretty bad one as well.
Sony just didn't bother because Xbox wouldn't have moved the needle at all. More and more developers are realizing this: Putting your game on Xbox won't make you money and it's a waste of ressources.
@DeepEyes I think them intending on attracting PC players to PS consoles will backfire. They’re already putting the sequels onto PC after a few years (HFW and GOW Ragnarok). This will backfire imo since now PC gamers will just wait for a few years. And Sony can port other games to PC to tide them over.
I bet you that Spider Man 2 will come to PC when Beyond the Spiderverse releases (or somewhere around that).
@Savage_Joe @Sanquine The Xbox Port will be based on the PSVR2 build.
'A game for everyone is a game for no one'
Do you know which great philosopher said that? Dolly Parton
Good to know it's coming to xbox then.
I might opt for the switch version just to support the multiplat effort. I hope playstation does more of this going forward.
The real challenge will be demonstrating to nintendo that putting some of its smaller franchises on pc,ps,xbox etc would actually benefit them and the brand.
@NEStalgia so it will have the same features as Astro Bot on PSVR2?!? Awesome! 😱
@Sanquine I guess Xbox users do not qualify into the "everyone" category. Which, to be fair, could actually sound quite prophetic in a few years. 😏
@PsBoxSwitchOwner " but majority of those ps4 owners will have upgraded to ps5 "
" So by now that ps4 only crowd will be dropping. "
Well you're half right, the PS4 crowd is dropping, but as of 2 weeks ago there are apparently still the same amount of PS4s as PS5s being used. So it was a good guess on your part, but Sony's data says otherwise.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/05/the-aging-ps4-still-has-as-many-active-users-as-the-ps5/#:~:text=The%20new%20data%20comes%20from,PS5%20units%20sold%20thus%20far.
@TrickyDicky99 And people say she's just a big pair of tits.
I think more PlayStation games should move to Switch.
Obviously not, It's a game for everyone except Xbox owners
@DeepEyes when was it never mentioned doom was going to be an exclusive to Xbox?
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