Horizon Hunters Gathering is one of the most talked-about new titles of 2026 for cooperative gamers and fans of the Horizon universe. Developed by Guerrilla Games as a tactical co-op action game, this fresh online experience lets you team up with friends or NPCs to take on mechanized threats in a dynamic live-service world.

With the first Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest approaching, here’s everything you need to know about the schedule, content, characters, platforms, and what to expect — especially if you’re planning to jump in on PS5.

Best Game Booster!

• ✅ Reduce Lag and High Ping.
• ✅ Boost FPS at the Same Time.
  ✅ Support 2000+ Popular Online Games.
  ✅ Change Server without Latency.
  ✅ Boost Game Loading Speed.

Free Trial

Part 1. Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest Schedule and Platforms

Part 2. How to Join the Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest

Part 3. Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest Content

Part 4. Horizon Hunters Gathering Characters

Part 5. Horizon Hunters Gathering Price – What We Know

Part 6. Enhance Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest Gaming Experience with LagoFast

Part 7. FAQs

Part 1. Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest Schedule and Platforms

If you're planning to join the Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest, knowing both the official schedule and supported platforms is essential. Access is limited not only by date and time, but also by platform eligibility.

Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest Date

The confirmed Horizon hunters gathering playtest date runs from:

February 27, 2026 to March 1, 2026

This is a three-day closed testing window. Servers will only be live during this period, and access will end once the test concludes.

Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest Times

The official horizon hunters gathering Playtest Schedule includes specific regional login windows:

• EU: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM CET
• NA: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST

These are daily session blocks during the playtest period. Even though the event spans several days, players can only log in during their region’s scheduled three-hour window.

Outside of these time slots, the servers will not be accessible.

 Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest Supported Platforms

The closed playtest is available on:

• PlayStation 5
• PC (via Steam)

Cross-play functionality is supported between PS5 and PC players, allowing mixed-platform co-op during the test phase. Cross-progression is also expected to be supported through linked accounts.

If you’re searching specifically for horizon hunters gathering ps5, yes — PS5 players are fully included in this playtest, provided they receive an invitation.

Part 2. How to Join the Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest

Participation in the Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest is not automatic. It is invite-only and tied to Sony’s official beta system.

Here’s how to improve your chances:

Step 1: Register for the PlayStation Beta Program

Sign up through Sony’s official beta registration portal and confirm your region eligibility.

Step 2: Verify Your PSN Account

Make sure your PlayStation Network account is active, verified, and linked to a valid email address.

Step 3: Watch for an Invitation Email

If selected, you will receive:

• Download instructions
• Access codes (if required)
• Exact regional session details

If you don’t receive an invite for this round, don’t worry. Additional playtest waves are expected later in 2026 as development progresses.

Staying registered increases your chances for future access.

Part 3. Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest Content

Let’s talk about the actual horizon hunters gathering Playtest Content — because that’s what really matters.

The closed playtest includes a focused slice of the full game, including:

1. Two Core Modes

• Machine Incursion – A wave-based survival mode where you and your squad fight off increasingly aggressive machine enemies.
• Cauldron Descent – A multi-stage dungeon-style challenge featuring escalating threats and environmental hazards.

These modes highlight teamwork, positioning, and smart ability usage rather than pure button-mashing.

2. The Social Hub – The Gathering

Players can explore a shared space called The Gathering, which works as a preparation zone before missions. Here, you can interact, customize your character, and prepare for upcoming hunts.

3. Early Progression Systems

The playtest allows limited progression to evaluate balance, skill trees, and equipment synergy. Progress will not carry over to launch.

Part 4. Horizon Hunters Gathering Characters

Another hot topic is horizon hunters gathering characters.

In the closed playtest, players can choose from three confirmed Hunters:

• Sun – A balanced all-rounder with reliable ranged and melee options.
• Rem – Tactical-focused, ideal for support and control-based strategies.
• Axle – Aggressive frontline fighter built for close combat pressure.

Each character has unique abilities and playstyles. The goal is synergy — building a team composition that complements strengths and covers weaknesses.

More characters are expected to be revealed before launch.

Part 5. Horizon Hunters Gathering Price – What We Know

Right now, the horizon hunters gathering price has not been officially announced.

There is no confirmed MSRP, and Sony has not clarified whether it will be:

• Full-price premium
• Mid-tier pricing
• Free-to-play with live-service elements

Based on its co-op and ongoing content design, many players speculate it may adopt a seasonal or live-service model. However, until an official announcement is made, pricing remains unknown.

Part 6. Enhance Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest Gaming Experience with LagoFast

Online co-op games live and die by connection quality. During limited test windows like the Horizon Hunters Gathering, server congestion, unstable routing, and regional network fluctuations can lead to high ping, packet loss, lag spikes, or even sudden disconnects.

When sessions only last a few hours per day, every minute counts. You don’t want to waste your playtest window troubleshooting connection issues.

That’s where LagoFast comes in.

LagoFast is designed specifically for online gaming optimization. By intelligently rerouting traffic through optimized network nodes, it helps deliver a more stable and lower-latency connection.

Using LagoFast can help:

• Reduce latency and lower ping
• Stabilize packet routing across regions
• Improve overall connection consistency
• Minimize lag spikes and sudden disconnects
• Optimize cross-region matchmaking

For co-op modes like Machine Incursion and Cauldron Descent, stable network performance directly impacts teamwork. Precise dodges, coordinated ability usage, and real-time positioning all depend on reliable connectivity.

This becomes even more important for cross-play sessions between PS5 and PC players. Cross-platform play often involves longer routing paths, which can increase the risk of instability. Optimized routing helps maintain smoother co-op performance and reduces desync issues.

How to Use LagoFast for Horizon Hunters Gathering

Step 1: Download the LagoFast application from the official website and start the free trial.

Free Trial

Step 2: Open LagoFast, search for “Horizon Hunters Gathering”.

Step 3. Choose the best server.

Step 4. Enable boosting and launch Horizon Hunters Gathering.

If you’re serious about getting the most out of your Horizon Hunters Gathering playtest sessions, making sure your network is optimized can give you a cleaner, more responsive gameplay experience.

During a limited three-hour test window, stability isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Part 7. FAQs

Who can participate in the closed playtest?

Participation is invite-only. Players are selected from the PlayStation Beta Program, particularly those who have shown interest in Horizon Hunters Gathering or similar multiplayer/co-op titles. Registration does not guarantee access.

I registered for the playtest. Does this guarantee access?

No. Signing up through the PlayStation Beta Program does not guarantee you’ll receive an invite. Selection is limited and based on testing needs such as region, platform, and player profile. If you’re not selected this time, additional test phases are expected later in 2026.

How will I know if I’m selected?

If chosen, you will receive an official email invitation containing download instructions, platform-specific access details, session times, and any participation guidelines. Always check your inbox (and spam folder) close to the test date.

How long after signing up will I know if I’m selected?

Invites are typically sent shortly before the test period begins. There isn’t a fixed timeline, so make sure your email notifications are enabled.

Will my progress carry over to launch?

No. Progress made during the closed playtest will not carry over to future tests or the full game launch. All data will be reset.

Is Horizon Hunters Gathering PS5 only?

No. The playtest is available on PS5 and PC (Steam). Cross-play between platforms is supported.

Can I play with my friends?

• PS5 players: If you receive an invite, you can invite up to two friends to join your session.
• PC (Steam) players: Friends must register separately through the PlayStation Beta Program and be selected individually.

Which countries will the playtest be available in?

Availability is region-based and may vary by testing phase. Invitations are distributed according to regional server capacity and testing requirements. Future playtests may expand to additional regions.

What languages are supported?

Only supports English. Additional language support will be added in future tests.

Can I stream, record, screenshot, or talk about the playtest publicly?

Unless explicitly stated otherwise in your invite, you should assume: no streaming, no public recording, no sharing screenshots, and no publishing gameplay details. Always follow the terms outlined in your invitation.

I received a Steam key. How do I redeem it?

Log into your Steam account, click “Add a Game”, select “Activate a Product on Steam”, enter your key, and follow the on-screen instructions. The game will then appear in your Steam library.

What are the PC system requirements?

Detailed requirements have not been fully published yet. Selected players will receive minimum and recommended specs in their invitation or download instructions. Expect modern hardware consistent with current-generation online co-op games.

Conclusion

The Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest gives players their first real look at Guerrilla’s new cooperative direction within the Horizon universe. With a confirmed playtest schedule, focused content, distinct characters, and PS5 support, this early build is shaping up to be an exciting preview.

If you’re interested in tactical co-op, character synergy, and evolving machine encounters, this is a playtest worth trying to get into.

Sign up, watch your inbox, and get ready to hunt.