Sony Scraps Games Amid Fan Backlash

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 from Sony, the outcome has proven otherwise.

Nine of the twelve planned services have been scrapped. While Helldivers 2 saw success, projects like Concord, Payback, The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title from Bluepoint Games have all been canceled. This also includes projects from Bend Studio, Firesprite, London Studio, and Deviation 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)
• Deviation Games' networking project

The cancellations largely stem from Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism is mounting, with many expressing disappointment that Sony may have prioritized trends over its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, among others, face significant delays.