Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy falters, leaving fans disappointed. The company's plan to launch 12 game services by 2025 has dramatically imploded, with a recent cancellation of nine projects sparking outrage among players.
In 2022, then-president Jim Ryan unveiled Sony Interactive Entertainment's bold vision. This pivot towards services was intended to adapt to the evolving gaming landscape, but it faced immediate backlash from gamers concerned about a potential neglect of single-player titles. Despite assurances to the contrary, Sony has now scrapped a significant portion of its ambitious undertaking.
Nine of the twelve planned services have been axed. While Helldivers 2 proved successful, projects like Concord, Payback, The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title from Bluepoint Games have all been canceled. This also includes projects from Bend Studio, Firesprite, London Studio, and Deviation Games.
The Canceled Games:
- Concord (failed to meet expectations)
- God of War (Bluepoint Games)
- Bend Studio's multiplayer game
- The Last of Us: Factions
- Spider-Man: The Great Web (Insomniac Games)
- Twisted Metal (Firesprite)
- Unannounced fantasy game (London Studio)
- Payback (Bungie)
- Deviation Games' networking project
The cancellations largely stem from Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism is mounting, with many feeling the company prioritized trends over its core strengths and legacy. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, among others, face significant delays.
