Sony's ambitious games-as-a-service strategy has suffered a significant setback. The company's plan to launch 12 game services by 2025 has faltered, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of nine projects. This decision has sparked considerable backlash from gamers.

In 2022, Sony Interactive Entertainment's then-president, Jim Ryan, unveiled the ambitious 12-service plan, a response to the evolving gaming landscape. However, this strategy was met with skepticism from many gamers concerned about a potential shift away from single-player titles. Despite assurances to the contrary, Sony has now cancelled a significant portion of these projects.

Nine of the twelve planned services have been scrapped, leaving only a few, including the successful Helldivers 2, to move forward. High-profile casualties include The Last of Us: Factions, Spider-Man: The Great Web, and a God of War title in development at Bluepoint Games. Other cancelled projects include Concord, Payback, a Bend Studio multiplayer game, a Twisted Metal title from Firesprite, an unannounced fantasy game from London Studio, and a networking project from Deviation Games.

Cancelled Sony Games:

• Concord (failed to meet expectations)
• God of War (Bluepoint Games)
• Bend Studio's Multiplayer Game
• The Last of Us: Factions
• Spider-Man: The Great Web (Insomniac Games)
• Twisted Metal (Firesprite)
• Unannounced Fantasy Game (London Studio)
• Payback (Bungie)
• Networking Project (Deviation Games)

The cancellations primarily affect Sony's push into the games-as-a-service market. The response from gamers has been overwhelmingly negative, with many criticizing the company for prioritizing trends over its core strengths and established franchises. Projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, among others, face significant delays.