Sony's ambitious plan to launch 12 game services by 2025 has hit a major snag, leaving many gamers disappointed. The company recently canceled nine of these projects, a move that has sparked considerable backlash.
In 2022, then-president Jim Ryan announced this bold strategy, 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 confirmed the cancellation of nine projects.
While Helldivers 2 found success, other anticipated titles have been cut. This includes high-profile cancellations like The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title from Bluepoint Games, alongside projects from Bend Studio, Firesprite, London Studio, and Deviation Games. Concord and Payback were also among the casualties.
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 majority of these canceled projects were integral to Sony's games-as-a-service strategy. The negative reaction from gamers suggests that Sony may have prioritized this trend over its core strengths, leading to significant delays for projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games.