Sony has cancelled Fairgames, the multiplayer shooter developed by Haven Studios after years of development and multiple reworks. Bloomberg reported that the decision follows recent player tests revealing low user retention and weak audience reception, marking another setback for PlayStation’s live-service strategy following the closure of Concord in 2024.
Sony Cancels Haven Studios Project
PlayStation executives Sean Decker and John Doyle informed employees of the cancellation via an internal email. According to the internal message reported by everyeye.it, a recent playtest involving thousands of users showed solid operational readiness and online service management.
However, player feedback and retention metrics failed to meet internal targets.
Market conditions for competitive PvP shooters also influenced the final decision. Haven Studios, based in Montreal and acquired by Sony, spent three years revising the title without bringing it to market.
Relocation Plan for Montreal Staff
Despite the project termination, Sony confirmed that the studio will avoid layoffs. A PlayStation spokesperson reported that staff at the Montreal studio will be reassigned to support other internal Sony teams.
The studio originally joined the PlayStation family to spearhead live-service experiences designed for long-term growth and content updates. Fairgames had been presented to the public in 2023 before undergoing extensive revisions, including an unreleased plan to reintroduce the game under a new name.
BREAKING: PlayStation is canceling Fairgames, the online shooter from Haven Studios that was announced in 2023. No jobs will be cut as a result of the cancellation, PlayStation says. Haven will instead support other games in the org. https://t.co/vS8diAOhps
PlayStation Live-Service Strategy Challenges
The cancellation deals a fresh blow to PlayStation’s broader multiplayer ambitions. Sony previously shut down Concord in 2024 after a brief commercial run. Haven Studios must now redirect its personnel to support other internal Sony teams.
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