Jade Raymond has left Haven Studios, a Sony-owned developer working on the online multiplayer shooter Fairgames. The game, initially slated for a fall 2025 release, has been delayed to spring 2026 following a disappointing external test. This development marks another setback for PlayStation's live service ambitions.
According to Bloomberg, Raymond's departure occurred several weeks after the external test of Fairgames, which did not meet expectations. The reasons for her exit were not disclosed to Haven staff by PlayStation leadership. Some developers at Haven expressed concerns about the game's reception and progress, though they spoke anonymously.
Despite the challenges, Sony remains committed to Haven and Fairgames, appointing Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski as new co-studio heads.
This news comes amidst a broader struggle for Sony's live service strategy. While Arrowhead's Helldivers 2 achieved significant success, selling 12 million copies in just 12 weeks, other Sony live service projects have faced difficulties. Sony's Concord was a notable failure, lasting only a few weeks before being taken offline due to low player numbers and eventually canceled along with its developer.
Sony's challenges continued with the cancellation of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer game and two other unannounced live service titles, including a God of War project at Bluepoint and a game at Bend Studio.
In February 2022, Sony announced plans to launch over 10 live service games by March 2026, aiming to diversify their offerings across different genres and audiences. The company made significant investments in studio acquisitions, including Bungie, Haven Studios, and Firewalk Studios, which has since been closed.
By 2023, Sony president Hiroki Totoki announced a review of the 12 live service games in development, committing to launch only six by the end of the financial year 2025. Totoki emphasized the importance of quality 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 support Sony's live service efforts with Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon. Sony also recently announced a new studio, teamLFG, working on a live service incubation project, and Guerrilla's Horizon multiplayer game remains in development.
