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

Sony finds itself navigating turbulent waters following the abrupt cancellation of nine out of twelve planned game services, originally set to launch by 2025. This decision has sparked considerable frustration among the gaming community.

In 2022, Jim Ryan, then president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, unveiled an ambitious strategy to introduce 12 game services, aiming to adapt to the evolving dynamics of the gaming industry. However, this shift towards service-based gaming raised concerns among fans, who feared Sony might be sidelining its renowned single-player titles. Despite assurances from Sony that it would not abandon its traditional game development, the recent cancellations have painted a different picture.

The list of canceled projects is extensive and includes several high-profile titles:

• Concord (which failed to meet expectations)
• God of War developed by Bluepoint Games
• Bend Studio's multiplayer game
• The Last of Us: Factions
• Spider-Man: The Great Web by Insomniac Games
• Twisted Metal by Firesprite
• Unannounced fantasy game from London Studio
• Payback by Bungie
• Networking project from Deviation Games

These cancellations have left fans disappointed, with many feeling that Sony has been too focused on following market trends at the expense of its foundational strengths. While the successful launch of Helldivers 2 has been a bright spot, attracting millions of players, the closure of other projects like Concord and Payback has been a significant blow.

The gaming community has been vocal about their dissatisfaction, emphasizing that Sony should not lose sight of its roots. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, in particular, will now face delays of several years, further testing the patience and loyalty of Sony's fanbase.