PlayStation Studios Axes 9 Projects Amidst Backlash

Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy falters, leading to widespread player disappointment. The company's 2022 announcement of twelve planned services by 2025 has dramatically backfired, with a recent cancellation of nine projects.

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment president, Jim Ryan, initially positioned this shift as a necessary adaptation to the evolving gaming landscape. However, this strategy faced immediate backlash from gamers concerned about a potential neglect of single-player titles. Despite assurances to the contrary, Sony has now confirmed the cancellation of nine of the twelve anticipated services.

While Helldivers 2 found success, several high-profile projects have been scrapped, including Concord, Payback, The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title under development by Bluepoint Games.

Sony's Cancelled 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 foray into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism abounds, with many suggesting Sony prioritized trends over its established strengths, leaving projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games indefinitely delayed.