The recent PlayStation Showcase disappointed for several reasons, but there is one that worries fans of the brand the most: games as a service. Sony wants to get fully involved in this business model to make it a pillar of its future; however, it is clear that he stumbled when presenting us with his new strategy.
In recent days, discouraging news has also been revealed for one of the most prominent teams at PlayStation Studios that is precisely working on a game as a service. Because of this, it is inevitable to wonder if PlayStation will be able to make its way in this swampy terrain or if it is destined to go under with some of its studios.
Related Video: The End of Games as a Service
PlayStation disappointed with the first look at its games as a service
For better or for worse, PlayStation has accustomed us to a very specific type of game: single-player games that focus on narrative and have extremely high production values. The company wants to get rid of that image little by little and give games as a service an important space in its ecosystem. However, the task will not be easy because it requires a facelift that the fans will not accept just like that.
As we told you in another article, PlayStation is betting its future with the change of strategy to games as a service. A series of mistakes can be very expensive and, in the worst case scenario, all your plans can succumb. Of course, a disaster will impact the single-player and the studios that fans of the brand love so much.
We are not exaggerating: just remember that the games-as-a-service bubble burst at the beginning of 2023. The result was a huge graveyard of games that were supposed to be around for years. These failures carry a heavy blow for the companies, their developers and, of course, the players.
Unfortunately for PlayStation, the reveal of its games as a service was a flop. The company presented at least 4 projects at the wrong time and in the worst way. For literally years, gamers waited for a PlayStation Showcase and all they wanted was to see the muscle of PlayStation Studios in all its glory, namely those incredible single-player games.
Instead, they received games as a service presented with CGI trailers, without gameplay or release dates. They were videos without genuine impact, and the usual PlayStation awesomeness was simply absent.
fairgame$, Haven Studios’ multiplayer shooter, was revealed with a trailer that left more questions than answers. For its part, the return of marathon It was one of the most exciting moments of the presentation. All in all, quite a few players were disappointed to learn that it will be a multiplayer extraction shooter and no campaign.
In case of Concord it was the most disappointing. Firewalk Studios revealed its PvP shooter with a discouraging teaser trailer that could have been a tweet. We can say that helldivers 2 It was an exception, as the sequel was revealed with gameplay and a confirmed release window.
Why not take advantage of an event like the PlayStation Showcase to reveal all these titles in form? It was time for PlayStation to show that its games as a service will be what they promised: attractive proposals with the quality seal of the brand and its studios. On the contrary, the company gave a bad impression and generated doubts in its fans.
The poor reception was evident on social media, where gamers criticized Sony’s new strategy and made it clear that they don’t want games as a service from PlayStation Studios.
PlayStation risks its studios with games as a service
Days after the event, Naughty Dog published a statement to confirm what many feared: the new multiplayer of The Last of Us it takes more time for its development. The worrying thing is that, according to reports, the game as a service is in latent danger.
The team in charge of the game suffered cuts and we know that the direction of the project is not clear. Multiplayer has been in active development for at least 4 years, so it’s normal for players to be disappointed and feel like it’s all a waste of time and resources. Especially since a team like Naughty Dog has proven its value mainly with single-player games.
The new multiplayer of The Last of Us will it come to fruition, will it fail or be cancelled? Nobody knows, but many fans have something clear: they want The Last of Us: Part III and not a multiplayer of the saga.
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) May 26, 2023
PlayStation wants to launch 12 games as a service by March 2026, so it has other well-known studios, like Guerrilla Games, working on its strategy. The point is that this market has been saturated for several years and it is very difficult to stand out in it. On the other hand, players do not see it favorably because it is linked to highly criticized practices, such as permanent connectivity and monetization that can be abusive.
The greed of the companies has generated authentic disasters in search of that game that can rival giants like Fortnite. PlayStation not only faces the challenge of making games as a service itself, but also convincing its long-time fans that it has something to offer in that sector.
The problem is that it is not doing it well, at least not enough to be one of the leaders of the industry. His strategy is still under construction, but Naughty Dog, one of his best studios, is already suffering the consequences. What will be the true cost to their studios if they fail with their games as a service?
We do not doubt that PlayStation can carry out several of the games it prepares, but it is too optimistic to think that its 12 projects will be a success, especially given the recent wave of failures in the sector and the weariness of the players. Of course, this change in strategy will generate several crises for PlayStation, so their studios are at risk.
Over time, we could see several of their teams with canceled projects or games that close within a few months of their release. Likewise, instability could reach several studies with dismissals and, in the worst case, with a definitive closure.
We know that PlayStation Studios recently went through a review process with serious consequences, such as the closure of PixelOpus. Layoffs at Deviation Games and the cancellation of a Final Strike Games game were also reported, so the worst could be yet to come, even with Bungie leading the charge.
“It seems that PlayStation is late to the games as a service party”
Like it or not, it seems like PlayStation is late to the games-as-a-service party. The model is worn and players have been very vocal about it. For now, their games as a service are shooters that, it seems, will follow current trends to the letter.
Is PlayStation really going to force its most talented studios to just follow the molds of games as a service? Isn’t he aware of what happened with Arkane and redfall? PlayStation must show that it has something different to offer in this saturated market. Otherwise, you will run straight into failure.
The company seems too confident that its current players will just turn to see its titles as a service. When the reality is that his veteran fans are demanding more single-player games. franchises like The Last of Us players fell in love with its narrative, its characters and its world, not because of Factions.
Lastly, it seems like PlayStation is relying heavily on the popularity of its series and the pedigree of its studios to win gamers’ attention, time, and wallets. You’ll make it? Not with revelations like the ones we saw at the PlayStation Showcase.
Related Video: PlayStation Must Change or Die
