Sony has reassessed its approach to live-service games following a string of high-profile failures. The company is now reevaluating its studio management strategy. A senior official revealed that the shift is multi-faceted, with a focus on changing how studios are managed.
The most recent example of a failed live-service game is Firewalk Studios’ Concord, which closed just two weeks after its launch in late August 2024. This incident has led to concerns about Sony’s live-service strategy, which started under Jim Ryan’s leadership. Previous reports suggest the company canceled at least 11 live-service games between 2022 and early 2025.
Several of these projects were reportedly in development for years, resulting in significant financial losses before they were canceled. The Last of Us Online, initially launched as a multiplayer mode for The Last of Us 2 in 2020, is another example. Sony’s studio model is now under review to determine the most effective approach to manage live-service games and avoid similar setbacks in the future.
Source: https://opencritic.com/news/20339/after-live-service-reality-check-playstation-is-rethinking-risk