A Twitter user called The Snitch, who’s accurately leaked multiple pieces of game industry info (most recently, the fact that Monster Hunter Rise was coming to current-gen consoles), posted an image that directly references Horizon Forbidden West and hints at a new location, which many are assuming to be where an upcoming DLC expansion for the acclaimed PlayStation exclusive will take place.
Though there’s been no official confirmation of a DLC expansion for Horizon Forbidden West, most fans expect and hope for one, as the game’s predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, had one called Frozen Wilds launch less than a year after the game’s launch. Forbidden West’s DLC, if real, is unlikely to fall within that same window, given that the year is almost over, but this alleged leak at least gives wishful fans some hope.
The image posted by The Snitch shows a map of western United States, near where Forbidden West takes place. A figure, which looks a lot like Aloy’s Focus, is placed on top of it, aiming south. Most fans assume that this is referencing ‘The Burning Shores’, an area that is mentioned throughout the game as a lava-ridden wasteland but cannot be accessed.
Dedicated players, such as YouTuber JorRaptor, were able to glitch through a certain area towards the south of the map and found representations of real-life structures like the Hoover Dam, so many speculate that this is the entrance to the so-called Burning Shores. Over at Insider Gaming, it is claimed that this Burning Shores DLC will release in April 2023 and that its announcement is “imminent,” though it’s unclear how this information was obtained.
If this is the case, the most likely assumption is that the announcement will occur at the upcoming Game Awards. The presentation is to happen only a few days from now, and Horizon Forbidden West will already be very present throughout the show, as it’s nominated for an impressive 7 categories, including Best Performance (Ashley Burch as Aloy), and Game of the Year. Although, it’s worth mentioning that PlayStation usually leaves its first-party game announcements for its own showcases.
