Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy has hit a major snag. The company's plan to launch 12 game services by 2025 has faltered, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of nine projects, sparking outrage among gamers.
In 2022, then-president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Jim Ryan, unveiled the ambitious 12-service initiative, a response to the evolving gaming landscape. However, this strategy was met with skepticism from many gamers concerned about a potential shift away from single-player titles. Despite assurances to the contrary, Sony has now confirmed the cancellation of nine of the twelve planned services.
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 been scrapped.
Sony's 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)
- Networking project (Deviation Games)
The cancellations primarily affect Sony's foray into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism is mounting, with many suggesting Sony prioritized trends over its core strengths and legacy. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, in particular, face significant delays.
