Sony finds itself navigating turbulent waters following the collapse of its ambitious plan to launch 12 game services by 2025. The recent abrupt cancellation of nine of these projects has sparked significant backlash from the gaming community, leaving many fans frustrated and disillusioned.

In 2022, Jim Ryan, then president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, unveiled the company's strategy to diversify its offerings with 12 new game services by 2025. This initiative was designed to adapt to the evolving landscape of the gaming industry. However, it was met with skepticism from gamers who feared Sony was shifting focus away from the cherished single-player experiences. Despite assurances from Sony that single-player games would remain a priority, the reality has proven otherwise.

Out of the 12 planned projects, a staggering nine have been canceled. While the successful launch of Helldivers 2 has drawn millions of players, other anticipated titles such as Concord and Payback have been shuttered. Additionally, high-profile projects including The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a game set in the God of War universe developed by Bluepoint Games have also met the same fate.

Here's Sony's list of canceled games:

• Concord (failed to meet expectations)
• God of War by Bluepoint Games
• Bend Studio's multiplayer game
• The Last of Us: Factions
• Spider-Man: The Great Web by Insomniac Games
• Twisted Metal by Firesprite
• Unannounced fantasy game from London Studio
• Payback by Bungie
• Networking project from Deviation Games

These cancellations were integral to Sony's broader strategy to penetrate the games-as-services market. The decision to abandon these projects has led to vocal discontent among gamers, who feel that Sony has lost sight of its core strengths in favor of chasing industry trends. As a result, fans of Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games may need to wait several years before seeing new releases from these beloved developers.

Sony's recent moves have left the gaming community questioning the company's direction and commitment to delivering the types of gaming experiences that have historically defined its success.