Sony's ambitious plan to launch 12 game services by 2025 has hit a major snag, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of nine projects. This decision has sparked outrage among players, particularly given the company's previous assurances regarding its commitment to single-player titles.
In 2022, then-president Jim Ryan announced this ambitious strategy, framed as a necessary adaptation to the evolving gaming landscape. However, this shift met with skepticism from many gamers concerned about a potential neglect of single-player experiences. Despite reassurances from Sony, the recent cancellations tell a different story.
While Helldivers 2 found success, nine of the twelve planned services have been scrapped. High-profile casualties include The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title in development at Bluepoint Games, along with projects from Bend Studio, Firesprite, London Studio, Bungie, and Deviation Games. The cancelled titles, Concord and Payback, also failed to meet expectations.
Sony's Canceled 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 primarily affect Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. Many players express disappointment, arguing that Sony prioritized this trend at the expense of its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, among others, face significant delays as a result.