PlayStation's Jade Raymond Leaves Fairgames Amid Sony's Live Service Challenges

Jade Raymond has left Haven Studios, a Sony-owned developer working on the online multiplayer shooter Fairgames. The game's release has been postponed from fall 2025 to spring 2026 following a reportedly underwhelming external test. This development represents another setback for PlayStation's live service ambitions.

According to Bloomberg, Raymond's departure occurred weeks after the external test of Fairgames. Although PlayStation leadership did not provide a reason for her exit, some Haven developers expressed concerns about the game's reception and progress. Sony remains committed to Haven and Fairgames, with new co-studio heads Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski now leading the studio.

This news adds to the challenges Sony faces with its live service strategy. While Arrowhead's Helldivers 2 achieved remarkable success, selling 12 million copies in just 12 weeks, other Sony live service titles have struggled. Notably, Sony's Concord was a significant failure, lasting only a few weeks before being taken offline due to low player numbers and eventually canceled along with its developer.

Sony's difficulties extend further with the cancellation of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer game and two unannounced live service titles earlier this year, one from Bluepoint and another from Bend Studio. In February 2022, Sony announced plans to launch over 10 live service games by March 2026, aiming to diversify their offerings. The company made significant investments, acquiring studios like Bungie, Haven, and Firewalk.

However, in 2023, Sony president Hiroki Totoki announced a review of the 12 live service games in development, committing to launch only six by the end of the financial year 2025. Totoki emphasized that quality should be the primary focus for gamers, indicating flexibility in their release schedule.

Bungie continues to support Sony's live service efforts with ongoing development of Destiny 2 and the upcoming full launch of Marathon later this year. Additionally, Sony recently unveiled a new studio, teamLFG, working on a live service incubation project, and Guerrilla is developing a Horizon multiplayer game.