Sony Abandons Nine Games Amidst Backlash from Fans

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 significant player backlash.

In 2022, then-president Jim Ryan unveiled Sony's vision for a games-as-a-service future, a response to evolving market trends. However, this strategy faced immediate criticism from 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, high-profile casualties include Concord, Payback, The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title in development at Bluepoint Games.

Cancelled Sony 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 largely stem from Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. Many critics argue that Sony became overly focused on this trend, neglecting its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, among others, face significant delays as a result.