Another PlayStation Live-Service Game Reportedly In Trouble

by

So, I’m hearing some not-so-great news about Fairgames, the multiplayer shooter Haven Studios is making for PlayStation. Apparently, they’ve started letting contractors go, which usually means a project isn’t going as planned. It sounds like the game is still a long way from being finished, and honestly, it’s starting to look like another PlayStation live service game might be in trouble. It’s a bummer, I was actually pretty excited about this one.

Haven Studio was created by Jade Raymond, a well-known game developer who previously worked on popular titles like The Sims Online and the first two Assassin’s Creed games. Sony bought the Canadian studio in 2022, shortly after it was founded, as part of a plan to create more ongoing, live-service games. This initiative was led by former PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan, but it’s recently faced criticism due to some unsuccessful game launches and delays. Jade Raymond reportedly left Haven in May 2025.

Haven Reportedly Not Renewing Contractors Despite Fairgames Being Nowhere Near Done

A recent report from YouTuber Detective Seeds indicates that Haven, the developer of Fairgames, is letting go of several contractors. Some contracts have already ended, and others are nearing completion. This is considered surprising given that Fairgames is still under development. While Haven reportedly employed around 50 contractors in early 2026, the number impacted by these changes isn’t known. This news follows the departure of the studio’s creative director, Daniel Drapeau, who left for WB Games Montreal six months ago.

Who’s That Character? Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
5.0s
0/10

Results

0

High Score: 0 —

More Games

Sony first revealed Fairgames with a CGI trailer on May 24, 2026, marking its third anniversary. Initially, rumors suggested the game—a live-service heist shooter—would launch in 2025. However, industry insider Jeff Grubb reported in February 2025 that development had been pushed back to 2026. According to sources at Detective Seeds, the game is still far from finished, with a recent internal test showing it’s not ready for release.

Fairgames Developer Reportedly Not in Danger of Closing Down For Now

Even though there have been problems, Detective Seeds’ contacts indicate that Haven isn’t likely to close down right now. However, it’s still uncertain how the Canadian developer will finish its first game, Fairgames, especially if it’s still a long way from being finished. As of early 2026, the game, a heist shooter, has been in development for about five years, though the exact start date of production isn’t known.

Several Sony studios involved in ongoing service games have struggled, and the recent closing of Bluepoint Games highlights this issue. Bluepoint, which Sony bought in 2021, will shut down in March without having released a game under the PlayStation Studios banner. Before the acquisition, the Texas-based studio was known for expertly remaking classic games. However, Sony reportedly asked them to create a live-service game that was later canceled. The studio then spent a year trying to develop a new project, but ultimately, Sony decided to close it down.

PlayStation’s Live-Service Push Continues

Sony’s push into live-service games has faced some questions, as seen with projects like Bluepoint and Firewalk Studios’ Concord. However, they’ve also had wins, most notably Helldivers 2, which continues to be very popular two years after its launch. Looking ahead, PlayStation’s next big live-service title might be Horizon Hunters Gathering rather than Fairgames. This three-player co-op game, where players team up against the environment, doesn’t have a firm release date yet, but a beta test is planned for February 28th, suggesting a potential launch before the end of 2026.

Read More

2026-02-25 14:39