"Sony's Live Service Struggles Persist: PlayStation Exec Jade Raymond Leaves Fairgames Developer Post-External Test Concerns"

Jade Raymond has left Haven Studios, the Sony-owned developer behind the online multiplayer shooter Fairgames, following a disappointing external test of the game. This has led to a delay in the game's release from fall 2025 to spring 2026, marking another setback for PlayStation's live service ambitions.

According to Bloomberg, Raymond's departure came several weeks after the external test of Fairgames, which did not meet expectations. Some developers at Haven expressed concerns about the game's reception and its progress, though PlayStation leadership did not provide a specific reason for Raymond's exit. Sony remains committed to Haven and Fairgames, with Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski stepping in as new co-studio heads.

This development is part of a broader challenge for Sony's live service strategy. While Arrowhead's Helldivers 2 achieved remarkable success, selling 12 million copies in just 12 weeks, other Sony live service titles have struggled. Notably, Sony's Concord was a significant disappointment, lasting only a few weeks before being taken offline due to low player engagement and eventually being canceled along with its developer.

Sony's challenges in the live service space continued with the cancellation of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer game and two other unannounced titles earlier this year—one from Bluepoint, working on a God of War game, and another from Bend, the developer of Days Gone.

In February 2022, Sony announced plans to launch over 10 live service games by March 2026, aiming to diversify its offerings across different genres and audiences. The company made significant investments, acquiring studios like Bungie, Haven Studios, and Firewalk Studios. However, in 2023, Sony president Hiroki Totoki announced a strategic review, committing to launch only six of the 12 planned live service games by the end of the financial year 2025, with the release schedule for the remaining six still under consideration. Totoki emphasized the importance of quality over quantity in Sony's gaming strategy.

Despite these setbacks, Bungie continues to support Sony's live service efforts with Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon. Sony also recently announced a new studio, teamLFG, and teased its debut live service project. Additionally, Guerrilla's Horizon multiplayer game remains in development, signaling ongoing efforts to bolster Sony's live service portfolio.