In a move reminiscent of the tragic Concord disaster, Sony has made the difficult decision to cancel two live-service games, including a potential installment in the revered God of War series. Despite this setback, Sony has assured that neither Bend Studio nor Bluepoint Games, its two studios involved in the projects, are facing the imminent threat of closure.
Renowned journalist Jason Schreier of Bloomberg divulges that both Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, esteemed PlayStation studios, were diligently crafting separate live service games, a realm where Sony has invested substantially. Following the highs of Helldivers II and the lows of Concord‘s launch, Sony grapples with the unpredictable landscape of live service gaming, fraught with risks yet laden with lucrative rewards.
The cancellation of a live-service God of War title, shrouded in mystery concerning its gameplay and narrative, has left fans disheartened over the loss of a potential addition to the iconic franchise. Despite Sony’s reassurances about studio stability, questions linger regarding the implications for employment. A leaked Sony memo referenced by Bloomberg indicates the company’s commitment to minimizing any adverse business impacts in collaboration with Bend and Bluepoint.
Sony’s aspirations to emulate the success of juggernauts like Fortnite and Destiny through its live-service games underscore the industry-wide pursuit of sustainable revenue models. However, the elusive formula for success in this realm eludes many, requiring each title to carve out a unique identity to thrive amidst the saturation of subscription and battle pass systems. Sony’s ambitious goal of releasing a dozen live-service games by March 2026 was recently revised, reflecting the challenges and uncertainties inherent in this dynamically evolving landscape.
