Sony's ambitious goal of launching 12 game services by 2025 has hit a major snag, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of nine projects and significant player backlash. In 2022, then-president Jim Ryan announced this strategy as a response to the evolving gaming landscape. However, concerns arose among gamers that this shift would overshadow Sony's celebrated single-player titles. While assurances were given that single-player development would continue, the recent cancellations tell a different story.
Nine of the twelve planned services have been scrapped. While Helldivers 2 found success, projects like Concord, Payback, The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, a God of War title from Bluepoint Games, and others have been cut.
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 initiative. The response from gamers has been overwhelmingly negative, with many criticizing Sony for prioritizing trends over its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, in particular, face significant delays, leaving fans disappointed and uncertain about the future of these titles.
