After a Tough Few Months, Sony Says It'll Keep Making PS5 Live Service Games | Push Square
In a devastating statement issued today, Sony announced the closure of two studios it acquired under co-CEO Hermen Hulst’s tenure – but it’s not deterred it from chasing the live service gravy train. The executive said that “expanding beyond PlayStation devices and crafting engaging online experiences alongside our single player games [is key] for us as we evolve our revenue streams”. In other words, it’s not going to stop trying.
The industry, and PlayStation specifically, finds itself in a sticky situation at the moment. Single player games are taking longer to make and costing more money than ever, and the higher-ups at Sony are eyeing releases like Fortnite and Genshin Impact with envy. While these games cost a lot of money to maintain, they’re outrageously profitable. The platform holder had hoped a title like Concord could enjoy similar success; the game was taken offline in just two weeks.
It’s interesting Hulst talks specifically about “expanding beyond PlayStation devices”, as the manufacturer has been porting games to PC and looking to get into mobile for quite some time. It shuttered smartphone developer Neon Koi earlier today, which was reportedly working on an action game designed to span multiple devices. “We need to concentrate on titles that are in-line with PS Studios’ pedigree and have the potential to reach more players globally,” he admitted.
Crash landing
Swimming with the fishes
Hulst continued: “I am a big believer in the benefits of embracing creative experimentation and developing new intellectual property. However, growing through sustainable financials, especially in a challenged economic environment is critical. I remain confident that we are building a resilient and capable organisation driven by creating unforgettable entertainment experiences for our players.”
To be fair to PlayStation, this has been a complicated year. Helldivers 2 exceeded all expectations, becoming the fastest-selling PS Studios title of all time. While it’s tailed
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