Home
Games
Games News
Sony Cancels Two More PlayStation Projects in Broader Retreat

Sony Cancels Two More PlayStation Projects in Broader Retreat

PlayStation has invested big in live-service games over the last few years.

By Jason Schreier, Bloomberg | Updated: 17 January 2025 13:34 IST

Sony Cancels Two More PlayStation Projects in Broader Retreat

Photo Credit: Sony

Sony didn’t say if the cancellations will lead to job cuts

Click Here to Add Gadgets360 As A Trusted Source

Highlights

Sony has canceled several live-service games in recent years
The last two years have been difficult for the video game industry
Sony will not shut both studios that created these titles

Sony Group Corp.'s PlayStation has canceled previously unannounced games at two of its top subsidiaries, the company said Thursday.

The games, at Oregon-based Bend Studio and Texas-based Bluepoint Games, were both “live service” projects designed to draw recurring revenue from players.

A company spokesperson confirmed the cancellations. In a statement, the spokesperson said the two games were canceled “following a recent review” and that PlayStation will continue making both online and single-player games.

Best Deals on Gaming Consoles, Controllers and Games During Amazon's Sale

Neither studio will be shuttered. “Bend and Bluepoint are highly accomplished teams who are valued members of the PlayStation Studios family, and we are working closely with each studio to determine what are the next projects,” the spokesperson said.

Over the last few years, PlayStation has invested big in live-service games, which are typically multiplayer games with microtransactions and other ways to get money out of players for months and years after they launch. These games are risky ventures, but can be lucrative when they're successful.

For Sony, the strategy has led to one hit in 2024's Helldivers II and several flops including Concord, which was removed from sale less than two weeks after it was released. The company has also canceled several other live-service games over the last few years, including one based on Spider-Man, Bloomberg has reported.

Gears of War, More Xbox Games Will Reportedly Launch on PS5 This Year

Sony didn't say if the cancellations will lead to job cuts. In a memo to staff reviewed by Bloomberg, the company said it's “working closely with Bend and Bluepoint to determine what are the next projects and plan to do everything we can to ensure there is minimal business impact.”

The last two years have been difficult for the video game industry, which has seen tens of thousands lose their jobs in the wake of bad bets and slower growth.

Comments

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.