Dutch actress Hannah Hoekstra gave Guerilla Games the rights to use her face for the character Aloy. Thanks to this, Aloy's realistic expressions and natural appearance match the actress's facial features exactly. Hoekstra's contribution stands out as an important detail that increases the character's believability.
The game was made by the Dutch developer Guerilla Games and, with its budget of 47 million euros, held the title of the Netherlands' largest media production until the second game. This huge budget was reflected in the game's visual richness and detailed world. Horizon Zero Dawn became a turning point that demonstrated the country's ambition in the game industry.
The main villain, HADES, is voiced by the game's writer. This interesting choice gives the character both a threatening and an intellectual depth. The writer bringing to life the enemy he himself created adds a personal touch to the game's narrative.
At a viewpoint in the game, the place where the voice mentions that her father teaches in a building is actually the Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado Springs. This real location establishes an authentic connection to the game's post-apocalyptic world. Players become more attached to the story as they wander among the ruins of a familiar structure.
As Aloy advances through the ruins of an unknown town, players can notice the Pikes Peak Range Riders Monument; this reveals that the town is Colorado Springs. There is also a nearly completely rusted Interstate I-25 sign in the remains of a street. Other real locations in the game include the United States Air Force Academy, Red Rock Amphitheatre, Bryce Canyon National Park, Eagle Canyon, Lake Powell and Monument Valley.
In the game's optional data points, it is explained why robot technology is dominant in the Horizon universe. According to the narrative director, nanotechnology and genetic technologies were strictly regulated and restricted because of accidents such as the Naysay Doom terrorist attack and the Citarum River incident. These details are also discussed in the podcast 'Horizon GAIA Cast Episode 2 - Events of the 21st Century'.