Sony announces Horizon Zero Dawn at E3, introducing the new original IP developed by Guerrilla Games.
Horizon Zero Dawn is released worldwide for PlayStation 4, receiving critical acclaim for its story, graphics, and gameplay.
The first major expansion for Horizon Zero Dawn, The Frozen Wilds, is released, adding new story content and areas to explore.
Sony announces that Horizon Zero Dawn will be released on PC, expanding its audience beyond PlayStation consoles.
Horizon Zero Dawn launches on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, featuring enhanced graphics and performance options.
The world as known collapses due to the rogue Faro Plague of self-replicating military robots, leading to the death of much of humanity.
The Faro Plague overwhelms all forms of military defense, and humanity's attempts to fight back fail, resulting in societal collapse.
Dr. Elisabet Sobeck begins Project Zero Dawn—a secret plan to build an autonomous system to restore life on Earth after the Faro Plague devastation.
Development of the AI known as GAIA, responsible for managing the restoration and rebirth of Earth's biosphere after the collapse.
GAIA is activated to begin terraforming and restoring life on Earth.
GAIA's sub-functions or subordinate functions start to fail or go rogue, including HADES, leading to a temporary halt and challenges in the restoration process.
Machines like Watchers, Striders, and Thunderjaws begin populating the landscape, part of GAIA's terraforming functions but posing hazards to humans.
Aloy is born in the Nora tribe, the protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn.
Aloy grows up as an outcast among the Nora, shunned due to unknown parentage.
At age 16, Aloy participates and succeeds in the Nora tribe's proving, earning her place among the tribe and uncovering mysteries about her past.
The rogue subordinate HADES attempts to begin the extinction protocol, threatening the world’s restored biosphere.
Aloy uncovers crucial information about how the old world collapsed and the purpose of Project Zero Dawn.
Aloy confronts and defeats the HADES AI, saving the world from a new extinction event.
