Sony Axes Nine Games, Sparking Fan Ire

Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy suffers a major setback. 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 plan, a response to the evolving gaming landscape. However, this strategy faced immediate backlash from a significant portion of the gaming community, concerned about a potential shift away from single-player titles. Despite assurances to the contrary, Sony has now confirmed the cancellation of nine of the twelve planned services.

While Helldivers 2 found 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 been scrapped. This represents a significant blow, particularly for fans anticipating these high-profile releases.

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 primarily affect Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism is mounting, with many suggesting Sony prioritized a fleeting trend over its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, among others, face considerable delays, leaving fans disappointed and questioning Sony's future direction.