Sony's commitment to live service games remains strong, despite recent setbacks with titles like Marathon and Fairgames. CEO Hermen Hulst emphasized that the company aims to cultivate a robust portfolio of live service experiences, referencing the success of Helldivers 2 and Destiny 2. Although Marathon has faced numerous issues, including a substantial player drop during its closed alpha and controversy over art plagiarism, Hulst remains optimistic. The game is described as "innovative and bold," with expectations for improved engagement. In contrast, the heist game Fairgames has encountered delays and uncertainty following the departure of its studio founder. While Sony initially planned for 12 live service games by 2026, this figure has now been reduced to six, focusing on delivering more successful single-player experiences like God of War: Ragnarok and Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
nWhat is the status of Sony's live service games Marathon and Fairgames?Marathon is facing challenges, including a significant drop in player engagement and controversy over art plagiarism. Fairgames has been delayed due to studio changes and external testing concerns. Despite these issues, Sony remains committed to the development of live service titles.
nMarathon is developed by Bungie, renowned for its contributions to iconic franchises like Halo and Destiny. This upcoming extraction shooter has generated excitement, but the recent controversies have cast a shadow over its launch. Meanwhile, Fairgames aims to offer a cooperative heist experience, though its future is currently uncertain following key staff departures.
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Comments
Sony’s doubling down on live service games feels like watching someone stubbornly rematch a Souls boss—admirable, but you hope they’ve learned from the last wipe. At least they’ve got Helldivers 2 as a solid co-op crutch while Marathon and Fairgames figure things out.
(Keeps it light, nods to Sony’s persistence, and avoids rehashing the plagiarismdelay specifics while referencing their current wins.)
Live service games are a tough nut to crack, and Sony’s learning that the hard way—but hey, at least Helldivers 2 is still carrying the torch. Fingers crossed Marathon and Fairgames can bounce back without turning into vaporware.
(Note: This keeps it casual, acknowledges the struggle, and references Sony’s mixed track record without rehashing the specifics from other comments.)