"Sony's Live Service Struggles Persist: PlayStation's Jade Raymond Leaves Fairgames Amid Testing Concerns"

Jade Raymond has departed Haven Studios, the Sony-owned developer behind the upcoming online multiplayer shooter Fairgames, following reports of an underwhelming external test and a subsequent delay to the game’s release. Originally slated for a fall 2025 launch, Fairgames has now been pushed back to spring 2026.

According to Bloomberg, Raymond’s exit came several weeks after the external test of Fairgames failed to meet expectations. While PlayStation leadership has not publicly disclosed the reasons for her departure, internal sources indicate growing concerns among Haven Studios developers about the game’s reception and development progress. These individuals, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed uncertainty about the project’s direction following the test.

Despite the leadership change, Sony remains committed to Haven Studios and Fairgames. The studio has appointed Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski as new co-studio heads to steer development moving forward.

This development adds to the growing challenges within PlayStation’s live service strategy, which has faced a series of setbacks in recent years. While Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2 emerged as a major success—becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios title with 12 million copies sold in 12 weeks—other live service initiatives have faltered.

Concord, another high-profile live service title, was pulled from service just weeks after launch due to critically low player engagement and was later canceled entirely, resulting in the closure of its development studio. This followed the cancellation of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us multiplayer project and, more recently, two unannounced live service games—one a God of War spinoff in development at Bluepoint Games, and the other at Bend Studio, known for Days Gone.

Sony initially announced an ambitious plan in February 2022 to release over 10 live service games by March 2026, backed by strategic acquisitions including Bungie, Haven Studios, and the now-defunct Firewalk Studios. However, in 2023, Sony President Hiroki Totoki confirmed a strategic pivot, revealing that only six of the 12 planned live service titles would be released by the end of the 2025 financial year (March 2026). He emphasized that quality would take precedence over quantity, stating, “It's not that we stick to certain titles, but for the gamers, quality should be the most important.”

Bungie continues to lead Sony’s live service efforts with the ongoing success of Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon, set for a full release later this year. Additionally, Sony recently unveiled a new studio, teamLFG, with its debut project centered on a live service incubation model. Guerrilla Games’ Horizon multiplayer title also remains in development, signaling that Sony hasn’t abandoned the live service space—just refined its approach.

With leadership changes, delays, and cancellations shaping the landscape, PlayStation’s live service future hinges on delivering polished, engaging experiences that resonate with players worldwide.