Sony’s Canceled Twisted Metal Game: A Live Service Ambition
Sony’s plans to revive the Twisted Metal franchise with a recent game developed by Firesprite ultimately fell through, marking another shift in the company’s strategy regarding live service titles. The canceled project, internally codenamed “Project Copper,” aimed to blend the vehicular combat the series is known for with elements of third-person shooting and battle royale mechanics.
The Evolution of Project Copper
Firesprite, a UK-based studio acquired by Sony in 2021, began development on a Twisted Metal game intended as a live service title. According to a former UI developer at Firesprite, the game was described as a “third-person vehicular action combat game based on a classic IP owned by PlayStation.” IGN reports the core objective was to be the “last one standing,” incorporating third-person shooter mechanics alongside the vehicular combat.
Shifting Landscape at PlayStation
The cancellation occurred in February 2024 as part of broader layoffs impacting approximately 900 employees at Sony GameDeveloper.com. While the game wasn’t officially “greenlit” at the time, development had commenced. This decision followed a similar move to halt development on The Last of Us Online in December 2023, as Sony reassessed its commitment to live service games.
Firesprite’s Other Projects and Challenges
Prior to the Twisted Metal cancellation, Firesprite’s primary release was Horizon: Call of the Mountain, a VR game for PlayStation VR2 in 2023. Reports surfaced around the time of the layoffs indicating that the development of Call of the Mountain was marked by internal challenges and worker resignations GameDeveloper.com. A subsidiary of Firesprite, Games Fabric, was also reportedly absorbed into the larger studio.
The Rise and Fall of Live Service Ambitions
Sony had initially pursued an aggressive strategy of transforming popular PlayStation franchises, such as Horizon and The Last of Us, into multiplayer live service experiences. However, the company has since scaled back these ambitions, recognizing the significant resources and long-term commitment required for successful live service titles. The cancellation of Twisted Metal and The Last of Us Online reflect this shift in strategy.
Early Glimpses of the Canceled Game
Images of “Project Copper” have surfaced online through a former developer’s portfolio, showcasing early concepts and designs. While intentionally blurred and labeled “Under NDA,” the images reveal a battle royale-style gameplay loop with generic character models ComicBook.com. These character designs were likely placeholders intended to be replaced with iconic Twisted Metal characters.
Looking Ahead
The cancellation of the Twisted Metal game signifies a recalibration of Sony’s approach to game development, prioritizing single-player experiences and carefully evaluating the viability of live service projects. While the future of the Twisted Metal franchise remains uncertain, the recent success of the Twisted Metal television series on Peacock may reignite interest in the property.