Jade Raymond has recently departed from Haven Studios, the Sony-owned developer behind the online multiplayer shooter Fairgames. This departure comes after an external test of the game reportedly did not meet expectations, leading to a delay from its planned fall 2025 release to spring 2026. This setback adds to the challenges Sony faces in its ambitious push towards live service gaming.
According to Bloomberg, Raymond left the studio she founded several weeks after the disappointing external test. PlayStation leadership did not provide a specific reason for her exit, but it was noted that some developers at Haven were concerned about the game's reception and its current state of development. Sony continues to support Haven and Fairgames, with Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski stepping in as new co-studio heads.
Sony's broader live service strategy has faced significant hurdles. While Helldivers 2 by Arrowhead was a surprising success, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks, other live service titles have struggled. Notably, Concord experienced a disastrous launch and was quickly taken offline due to low player engagement, ultimately leading to its cancellation and the closure of its developer.
Further complicating matters, Sony canceled Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer project and two other unannounced live service games earlier this year—one being a God of War title from Bluepoint and another from Bend, the developer behind Days Gone.
In February 2022, Sony announced plans to launch over 10 live service games by March 2026, aiming to cater to diverse genres and audiences. This initiative included significant investments in studio acquisitions, such as Bungie, Haven Studios, and Firewalk Studios, the latter of which has since been shuttered.
By 2023, Sony president Hiroki Totoki announced a strategic review of the 12 planned live service games, committing to launch only six by the end of the financial year 2025, which is March 2026. The timing for the remaining six titles remains uncertain, with Totoki emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity.
Despite these setbacks, Bungie remains a key player in Sony's live service lineup, with Destiny 2 ongoing and Marathon set to launch later this year. Additionally, Sony has introduced a new studio called teamLFG and teased its debut live service project, while Guerrilla continues to develop a multiplayer game within the Horizon franchise.
