Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy falters, leaving fans disappointed. The company's plan to launch 12 game services by 2025 has dramatically backfired, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of nine projects. This decision has sparked significant backlash from gamers.
In 2022, then-president Jim Ryan unveiled Sony's ambitious vision, aiming to adapt to the evolving gaming landscape. However, this shift raised concerns among players worried about a potential neglect of single-player titles. Despite assurances to the contrary, Sony has now canceled a significant portion of its planned services.
While Helldivers 2 proved successful, high-profile projects like The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title developed by Bluepoint Games have been scrapped, along with Concord, Payback, and several other unannounced titles.
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)
- Networking project (Deviation Games)
The cancellations primarily affect Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism is mounting, with many suggesting Sony prioritized trends over its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, among others, face significant delays.
