
Sony Doubles Down on Live Service Games Despite Troubling Setbacks
2025-06-13
Author: Ying
Sony's Bold Commitment Amid Controversies
In a recent business presentation, Sony CEO Hermen Hulst reaffirmed the company's dedication to crafting a "diverse and resilient" lineup of live service games, including the highly anticipated Marathon and Fairgames, despite a series of high-profile failures in the gaming landscape.
Building on Success and Learning from Challenges
Hulst expressed optimism about leveraging the successes of titles like Helldivers 2 and Destiny 2 to pave the way for future projects. Highlighting Helldivers 2 as a major triumph, he noted its ability to foster a passionate player community and garner industry accolades.
Marathon: Innovation or Trouble?
As for Marathon, Hulst described it as "innovative and bold" but offered little else in praise. So far, it has encountered a host of issues, particularly evident during its closed alpha test, where an alarming 80% drop in player engagement raised eyebrows. Players voiced their frustrations over the game’s three-player format, lack of solo play options, and missing critical features typical in extraction shooters.
Aesthetic Controversy and Morale Issues
Marathon's launch was further marred by an art plagiarism scandal, with Bungie acknowledging the use of external artwork and vowing to audit all in-game assets. This incident reportedly led to a significant morale decline within the studio.
Fairgames: Concerns and Delays
Fairgames, a cooperative heist title, has also faced setbacks, including a delay following the departure of studio founder Jade Raymond and troubling external test reports. Raymond mentioned that a significant portion of the team was focused on controversial technologies like machine learning and AI, complicating development priorities.
A Tenuous Future for Live Services?
Despite the ongoing struggles, Sony remains intent on establishing its presence in the live service arena. Originally aiming for a slate of 12 live service games by March 2026, that goal has now been slashed to just six. This decision reflects both cautious optimism and the reality of navigating a challenging gaming landscape riddled with notorious missteps, including projects such as Concord and a canceled God of War live service title.
Can Sony Overcome the Odds?
As the gaming world watches closely, the success of Marathon and Fairgames remains uncertain. Will Sony turn the tide and reclaim its spot among live service heavyweights, or will this ambitious journey be marred by continued misfortune?