Sony finds itself in a precarious situation following the collapse of its ambitious plan to launch 12 game services by 2025. The sudden cancellation of nine projects has left the gaming community frustrated and disappointed.
In 2022, Jim Ryan, then president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, unveiled the company's strategy to introduce 12 game services by 2025. This initiative aimed to adapt to the evolving landscape of the gaming industry. However, many fans expressed concerns that Sony was shifting its focus away from the beloved single-player experiences. Despite assurances from Sony that it would continue to develop such games, the reality has proven otherwise.
It has been revealed that 9 out of the 12 planned projects have been terminated. While Helldivers 2 has been a success, drawing in millions of players, other projects like Concord and Payback have been shut down. Additionally, highly anticipated titles such as The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a game set in the God of War universe, developed by Bluepoint Games, have been canceled.
Here's Sony's list of canceled games:
- Concord (didn't live up to expectations)
- God of War by Bluepoint Games
- Bend Studio's multiplayer game
- The Last of Us: Factions
- Spider-Man: The Great Web by Insomniac Games
- Twisted Metal by Firesprite
- Unannounced fantasy game from London Studio
- Payback by Bungie
- Networking project from Deviation Games
Almost all of the canceled projects were integral to Sony's strategy to penetrate the games-as-a-service market. Fans are vocalizing their discontent, arguing that Sony became too enamored with the trend and lost sight of its core strengths. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games are now expected to be delayed by several years.
