Sony has recently acknowledged that its transition from single-player games to live-service titles has not gone as smoothly as anticipated. During a Q1 2025 Earnings Call, CFO Lin Tao admitted that while there have been some successes, such as Helldivers 2 and Gran Turismo 7, the overall strategy has faced significant hurdles, including the postponement of key titles like Concord and Marathon. The company initially aimed to launch 12 live-service games by the end of fiscal year 2025, but this number has been drastically reduced to just six, with several projects already canceled.

The recent leak of the pre-release build of Firewalk Studios’ Concord has ignited a firestorm of discussion about the game’s rushed development and its subsequent failure. With a release date of August 2024 and a build dated just months prior, it raises serious questions about the decision-making processes at Sony and the studio’s internal culture. The unfinished state of the game, coupled with its swift delisting and player refunds, paints a grim picture of what was once touted as a flagship franchise.

Sony is making waves in the gaming industry with its latest insights on the future of the PlayStation platform. During a recent business segment meeting, Hideaki Nishino, the new president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, emphasized that the company is committed to exploring “new and enhanced” ways for players to engage with games. This forward-thinking approach highlights Sony’s dedication to evolving its console strategy while maintaining a strong focus on local gameplay experiences.