PS5 live service plans in trouble again as Fairgames delay rumoured

Metro

16-05-2025

One of PlayStation's few remaining live service projects looks like it's in trouble, as the studio's founder departs amid concerns around its progress.
Sony once had plans for 12 live service projects to be released by 2026, but many of them have either been cancelled or, like Concord, scrubbed from existence after a mere two weeks.
Despite its failures in the area (the externally developed Helldivers 2 being the only exception), PlayStation still has several live service projects underway, driven by the potential profits from microtransactions which are a crucial part of PlayStation's overall income.
One of these upcoming games is Fairgame$ from developer Haven Studios, which was originally announced back in May 2023. While we've heard nothing about the heist shooter since, reports suggest things aren't going well.
The first concerning sign is the departure of Haven studio founder, Jade Raymond, who served as a producer in the early days of the Assassin's Creed franchise. In light of her exit, Haven Studios will now be led by new co-studio heads Marie-Eve Danis and François Sapinski.
'Jade Raymond has been an incredible partner and visionary force in founding Haven Studios,' a PlayStation spokesperson said in a statement. 'We are deeply grateful for her leadership and contributions, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.'
As reported by Bloomberg, no reason was given for Raymond's exit, but this comes several weeks after an 'external test' of Fairgame$. Following this test, it's claimed 'some developers at Haven were concerned about how the game was received and its progress'.
According to the report, Fairgame$ was originally slated to come out in autumn 2025, but it has been delayed to spring next year – potentially in the firing line of GTA 6. However, this hasn't been officially announced by Sony.
While it's unclear why it would have been potentially delayed, launching Fairgame$ later this year seems like a bizarre move considering Sony's next live service hopeful, Bungie's Marathon, is set to drop on September 23, 2025. More Trending
Beyond Marathon, Sony's other remaining live service project is a rumoured Horizon multiplayer spin-off, which is reportedly set to release before 2027. So it's possible Fairgame$ might be awkwardly wedged between the two – if it isn't cancelled before then.
While Sony has cancelled many live service games over the past few years, including The Last Of Us Online, the company has recently opened several studios clearly designed to chase this model.
One of these, Dark Outlaw Games, is led by former Call Of Duty Zombies lead Jason Blundell, while another, named teamLFG, is working on a team-based action game.
There's a chance we could see more from Fairgame$ over the coming weeks, if Sony holds its usual State Of Play presentation in May or June. Assuming it makes it as far as a public release, that is.
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