Fairgames: the future of Sony's extraction shooter

Fairgames is a multiplayer heist shooter currently in development at Haven Studios, a Sony subsidiary. When it was unveiled nearly three years ago during a PlayStation Showcase, the game sparked plenty of curiosity and has since gone through several stages of development. This article looks at the evolution of Fairgames, its place in the growing extraction shooter genre, and what players can expect.

What is Fairgames?

Fairgames is a first-party PS5 game focused on multiplayer gameplay and heists. The game is not limited to a single mode, although rumors suggest that one key mode is known as "Cargo Heist." In this mode, players try to complete their objectives through several phases, including breaking into a vault, drilling it open, and finally extracting the loot. This gives players room to bring creativity into the gameplay, which is a key part of the experience.

The "Cargo Heist" mode

In "Cargo Heist," players must find a vault code to get inside, collect money for upgrades, and handle cargo while competing against other teams to escape with their loot. The process consists of three phases:

• Break In: Find a vault code to gain access.

• Drill: Crack open the vault and collect the cargo.

• Extract: Bring the loot to the extraction site.

This system offers a dynamic and exciting experience for players, but it also raises questions about the game's long-term viability, especially given the increasing competition in the genre.

Competition in the extraction shooter space

Extraction shooters have become increasingly popular lately, with titles such as Escape From Tarkov and especially the recent ARC Raiders drawing a lot of attention. Sony itself entered this market with Bungie's Marathon, which was released earlier this year. In this context, Fairgames is seen as another step for Sony and could become an important addition to its growing extraction shooter portfolio. Despite earlier criticism of Fairgames' development and gameplay tests, the project remains important to Sony.

The game has faced development issues, including the departure of studio head Jade Raymond in 2025, which raised concerns about the future of Haven Studios. Despite these setbacks, job listings have recently been posted to bring in new team members, suggesting the project is still active.

The future of Fairgames

With PlayStation's approach to live-service games and players' interest in multiplayer heists, Fairgames has the potential to stand out in a crowded market. The game is planned as free-to-play, which could help attract a broader player base. Players are eagerly awaiting further updates and upcoming announcements, especially after rumors that a new playtest may happen soon. This stage of development could provide new insight into Fairgames' gameplay and mechanics.

All in all, the future of Fairgames remains uncertain, but as more information emerges, expectations are shaped by both excitement and concern. It remains to be seen how Sony will handle this challenge and how Fairgames will compare to other titles in the extraction shooter genre in the coming months.