Fairgames

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Summary

  • Upcoming PlayStation live-service title Fairgames reportedly saw mixed reactions in closed playtesting.
  • Fairgames’ gameplay loop is apparently a mix of Fortnite and The Division, with the playtest build described as “super clunky.”
  • The founder of Fairgames developer Haven Studios left the team last week, further adding to the list of concerns surrounding the game.

It appears that Fairgames, the upcoming live-service title from PlayStation, is struggling in its closed testing phase according to a recent report. This comes after a significant management reshuffle at Haven Studios last week, and there are indications that the game could become another addition to PlayStation’s list of troubled live-service projects.

At the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, it was unveiled that “Fairgames” is an upcoming live-service heist shooter being developed at Haven Studios, a team spearheaded by Jade Raymond, an ex-lead from the Assassin’s Creed series. In 2021, Sony collaborated with Raymond to establish Haven Studios, and later in 2022, the studio was bought by Sony to bolster their collection of live-service games. However, following the disappointing performance of “Concord” last year, the expectations for “Fairgames” have significantly risen, and it seems that Haven Studios might be struggling under the added pressure.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been eagerly waiting for updates on Fairgames since its initial reveal. However, it seems like we’re still in the dark about any new footage or gameplay, which is making me a bit uneasy. To add to the concerns, Jade Raymond, a key figure at Haven Studios, recently left the company back in May 2025. This departure has raised questions about the confidence within the team working on the live-service title.

Sony has reassured us that they remain committed to both Haven and Fairgames, but recent intel from Last Stand Media’s Sacred Symbols podcast (episode 360) isn’t exactly comforting. Apparently, a pre-alpha version of Fairgames, dubbed Project Hearts, was discreetly handed out to a select group of playtesters via PSN. The feedback from this early test has been far from positive, leaving me with mixed feelings about the game’s future.

Fairgames is Ostensibly a “Super Clunky” Cross Between Extraction Shooters and Battle Royales

In simpler terms, Fairgames seems to be a mix between Fortnite and The Division. It allegedly places players in sprawling city landscapes within teams of 3-4 individuals. Their objective is to penetrate vaults and rob the wealthy, while simultaneously other teams are doing the same thing in real-time – this gameplay style lies somewhere on the borderline between an extraction shooter and a battle royale. Despite the appealing concept of a stylized Robin Hood experience, those who have tested Fairgames have reported that its gameplay feels awkward and lacks refinement.

The information about Fairgames that’s been shared isn’t exactly positive for the game, considering the significant failure of Concord in Sony’s history and the cancellation of multiple live-service projects at PlayStation studios like Naughty Dog, Bend Studio, Bluepoint Games, etc. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Project Hearts, which was a preliminary version of Fairgames, could have undergone changes and improvements based on feedback. If the rumors about an internal launch window for 2026 are true, we’ll have to wait and see if Haven Studios has managed to transform Fairgames into a noteworthy gaming experience over time.

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2025-05-24 20:04