In a shocking turn of events, Sony's ambitious live-service shooter, Concord, was shut down just two weeks after its launch in 2024, marking it as one of the company’s most visible failures. Hermen Hulst, the CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s studio business, recently shared insights on how this setback has prompted a significant shift in the development approach at PlayStation.

Hulst emphasizes that the key takeaway from the Concord failure is the urgent need for increased oversight throughout the development phase. "We have since put in place much more rigorous and frequent testing in various ways," Hulst explained in a candid interview with the Financial Times. "Every failure teaches us invaluable lessons, especially about the crucial nature of oversight."

While Hulst encourages creative risks for future projects, he insists on a strategy to identify potential failures early. "I don’t want teams to always play it safe," he stated, adding, "But when we do fail, I’d prefer it to be early and inexpensive." This approach aims to foster innovation while safeguarding against costly missteps.

Following the Concord incident, Sony has reaffirmed its commitment to live-service games, with an emphasis on delivering diverse player experiences. "It’s not about how many live-service games we have; it’s about creating a rich tapestry of player communities," Hulst remarked.

As for what’s next, all eyes are on Marathon, a new title from Bungie, which is set to debut in Sony's portfolio of live-service offerings. However, the game is already facing scrutiny, having drawn unfavorable comparisons to its ill-fated predecessor, Concord. Delays have plagued Marathon, which was put on hold indefinitely back in June, coinciding with reports of Bungie losing some of its autonomy to PlayStation Studios. In a startling development, Bungie's long-time leader, Pete Parsons, announced his exit from the company after two decades of service.

Despite the tumultuous backdrop, Marathon is still expected to be released before Sony’s fiscal year ends on March 31, 2026, leaving many gamers and industry insiders eagerly anticipating this next chapter.