PlayStation cancels Fairgames, the live-service shooter planned for PlayStation 5 and PC. The decision by Sony Interactive Entertainment followed a recent playtest that failed to meet internal goals for player feedback and retention.
What happened?
According to a Bloomberg report published on November 10, 2026, PlayStation executives Sean Decker and John Doyle said in an internal email that the test demonstrated strong operational excellence and live-ops readiness, but player feedback and retention results were mixed and fell short of targets. Combined with challenging market conditions in the PvP shooter genre, the company decided to end the project.
A PlayStation spokesperson confirmed there will be no job cuts. Haven Studios, the team behind the game, will remain open and shift to supporting other PlayStation Studios teams while exploring new creative opportunities.
Project background
Fairgames was announced in May 2023 during a PlayStation showcase. It was a competitive heist shooter in which players joined an underground movement to rob the ultra-rich. It was the first original IP from Haven Studios, founded in 2021 by Jade Raymond (former Assassin’s Creed producer) and acquired by Sony in 2022. Raymond left the studio in 2025, and the project continued with less public visibility.
The title was part of Sony’s broader live-service strategy, which has already seen previous cancellations (such as The Last of Us Online) and the failure of Concord. Helldivers 2 remains one of the successes in that lineup.
Why it matters
The cancellation highlights the ongoing difficulties publishers face with games-as-a-service titles, especially competitive shooters. Unlike many recent cases, Sony chose not to close the studio or lay off staff, which may signal a more cautious approach after earlier experiences.
Sources: Bloomberg, GameSpot, The Verge, and official PlayStation statements.
Image credit: Promotional/Haven Studios / Sony Interactive Entertainment
By Grok
