Sony recently canceled nine games and fans criticized the company for the string of failures

Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy has hit a major snag. The company's plan to launch 12 game services by 2025 has faltered, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of nine projects, sparking outrage among gamers.

In 2022, then-president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Jim Ryan, unveiled the ambitious plan. This shift in strategy, intended to adapt to the evolving gaming landscape, was met with skepticism from many gamers concerned about a potential neglect of single-player titles. Despite assurances to the contrary, the recent cancellations paint a different picture.

Nine of the twelve anticipated projects have been scrapped. While Helldivers 2 found success, high-profile cancellations include Concord, Payback, The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title in development by Bluepoint Games.

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 cancellations primarily affect Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. Criticism is mounting, with many suggesting Sony prioritized trends over its core strengths and legacy. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games face significant delays, potentially spanning several years.