Sony has had a rough time with its live service games, despite being a strong contender in the console market. Recently, Bungie announced they will no longer support Destiny 2 after a final update in June. This marks the end of an era for a game that has been around for over 11 years. The cancellation of future expansions leaves fans wondering about the future of the franchise, especially since many players still enjoyed the game during its downtime.
Bungie was once seen as a guide for other studios on how to create successful live service games. However, their advice hasn’t always helped. For instance, they worked with Naughty Dog, but the studio ultimately decided against pursuing a planned live service game, leading to its cancellation.
New games like Concord have also faced major setbacks. After spending years and significant resources, it launched with only 800 concurrent players on Steam before shutting down just two weeks later. That’s a massive failure by any standard.
In 2023, Fairgame$, a live heist shooter, was announced but has seen little visibility since. Reports suggest it’s shifting focus and that many doubt if it will ever reach the finish line.
Sony’s recent effort with Horizon: Hunter’s Gathering has drawn negative feedback. Fans seem uninterested in a multiplayer version of a beloved single-player series. Similarly, a proposed God of War multiplayer project was canceled due to uncertainties about its potential.
Even though some franchises like the Ghost of Tsushima series have done multiplayer well, it seems Sony is struggling to create sustainable live service games. The multiplayer mode Legends had its run but isn’t expanding any further.
On a brighter note, Helldivers 2 has found some stability, though it still has only about 10% of its player count from launch. Its developers, Arrowhead, are looking to self-publish their next project, indicating they may not remain with Sony for long.
Then there’s Marathon, Bungie’s new extraction shooter. Since the end of Destiny 2, it has become the highest-profile live service game for Sony, yet it’s been performing below expectations with dwindling player numbers.
While Sony’s strength lies in its first-party, single-player story games—like the upcoming Insomniac’s Wolverine—its live service attempts have not fared well. With multiple failures in this area, it’s uncertain how Sony will navigate its future in the live service landscape. Will they pivot to different strategies, or continue down this rocky path?
Historically, many companies have seen success and failure in the gaming industry’s live service space. It’s a tough landscape, with high expectations and fierce competition. As the gaming community remains vocal about their preferences, it’s clear that listening to their feedback will be crucial for Sony moving forward.
For more insights into gaming trends and statistics, check out reports from sources like Statista or GamesIndustry.biz.
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