Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy falters, resulting in significant project cancellations. The company's 2022 announcement of twelve planned services by 2025 has dramatically backtracked, with nine projects recently scrapped, sparking considerable player backlash.
Jim Ryan, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, spearheaded this initiative as a market response. However, concerns arose among gamers regarding a potential neglect of single-player titles. While Sony initially reassured fans of continued single-player development, the recent cancellations tell a different story.
Nine of the twelve anticipated projects have been axed. While Helldivers 2 found success, notable casualties include Concord, Payback, The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, a God of War title by Bluepoint Games, and several others.
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 majority of these cancellations directly impact Sony's foray into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism is mounting, with many voicing concerns that Sony prioritized trends over its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, in particular, face substantial delays.
