Jade Raymond has stepped down from Haven Studios, the Sony-owned developer working on multiplayer shooter Fairgame$, marking another setback for PlayStation's live service strategy amid reported development delays.
Leadership Transition Following Troubled Playtest
Bloomberg reports Raymond quietly exited several weeks after an external test yielded disappointing results for Fairgame$. Originally scheduled for fall 2025, the title has been pushed to spring 2026.
Sony hasn't officially disclosed reasons for her departure, though internal sources indicate concerns about the game's reception and development progress. The studio now operates under new leadership from Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski.
Turbulence in PlayStation's Live Service Strategy
While Helldivers 2 became PlayStation Studios' fastest-selling title with 12 million units sold in 12 weeks, Sony's broader live service initiative faces mounting challenges.
The spectacular failure of Concord - shut down within weeks due to catastrophic player numbers - followed cancellations including:
- Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer project
- Two unannounced titles (Bluepoint's God of War spinoff and Bend Studio's unnamed project)
Sony's ambitious 2022 plan envisioned over 10 live service releases by March 2026. After acquisitions including Bungie and Haven Studios, executives have since scaled back expectations.
Revised Live Service Roadmap
President Hiroki Totoki confirmed in 2023 that Sony now anticipates launching just six live service titles by March 2026, emphasizing quality over quantity.
Current live service projects still in development include:
- Bungie's Destiny 2 and upcoming Marathon
- Guerrilla Games' Horizon multiplayer title
- New studio teamLFG's incubation project
The gaming giant continues adjusting its live service blueprint, balancing ambitions with recent disappointments as it refocuses on quality deliverables.
For updates on PlayStation's evolving strategy, follow our continued coverage across gaming platforms.
