Jade Raymond's departure from Haven Studios marks a significant setback for Sony's PlayStation division, especially in the realm of live service games. Raymond, the founder of Haven Studios and a key figure behind the development of the online multiplayer shooter Fairgames, left the company shortly after an external test of the game reportedly did not meet expectations. Originally slated for a fall 2025 release, Fairgames has now been delayed to spring 2026.
Sony has not provided a clear reason for Raymond's exit, but it occurred amidst growing concerns among Haven's developers about the game's reception and progress. Despite this, Sony remains committed to Haven and Fairgames, appointing Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski as the new co-studio heads.
This development is the latest in a series of challenges for Sony's ambitious live service strategy. While Arrowhead's Helldivers 2 achieved remarkable success, selling 12 million copies in just 12 weeks and becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever, other live service titles have struggled significantly. Sony's Concord, for instance, was a major disappointment, lasting only a few weeks before being discontinued due to poor player engagement. This followed the cancellation of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer game and two other unannounced live service projects, including a God of War game from Bluepoint and a title from Bend Studio.
Sony's initial plan, announced in February 2022, was to launch over 10 live service games by March 2026. This aggressive push included significant investments in studio acquisitions, such as Bungie, Haven Studios, and Firewalk Studios, which has since been closed. However, in 2023, Sony president Hiroki Totoki announced a strategic review, reducing the target to six live service games by the end of the financial year 2025, with the remaining six to be released at a later date. Totoki emphasized the importance of quality over quantity in Sony's gaming offerings.
Despite these setbacks, Sony continues to invest in live service games. Bungie remains a key player with Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon. Additionally, Sony recently announced teamLFG, a new studio working on a live service incubation project, and Guerrilla is developing a Horizon multiplayer game. These efforts reflect Sony's ongoing commitment to the live service model, albeit with a more cautious approach moving forward.
