Sony remains committed to its live-service model despite experiencing significant obstacles and discontinuations. The company has faced a series of setbacks and cancellations over the years, yet it continues to invest in this approach, even as it acknowledges that the journey has been far from straightforward. During a recently held session featuring questions and answers that followed the financial report, a senior executive admitted that there have been periods where results were not as expected, citing examples of projects that did not meet targets.
Some projects encountered notable difficulties, including one title that was discontinued shortly after its launch due to minimal player activity, and another that was delayed to a later date. A project that ultimately did not progress further even after heavy investment in development also factors into the company's learning curve. Despite these challenges, there have been unexpected successes. One particular title emerged as an overwhelming success, demonstrating the potential of the live-service approach when executed well.
Key examples of outcomes include:
- A surprise success that exceeded expectations.
- A notorious failure halted shortly after release because of very low user engagement.
- An ambitious undertaking that has encountered developmental difficulties and recent leadership changes.
- A project that was fully cancelled despite extensive and costly development over several years.
Moreover, live-service content now accounts for approximately 20-40% of the revenue from PlayStation Studios, with franchises like MLB The Show, Gran Turismo 7, and Destiny 2 providing stable earnings. The executive emphasized that while significant issues remain, the goal is to learn from these setbacks. By refining processes, the company hopes to launch new live-service content with fewer inefficiencies and smoother implementations.
Looking ahead, there is also a consideration of extending these titles to additional platforms. For example, one of the successful titles is scheduled to become available on a competing console soon, suggesting that Sony may explore broader partnerships and cross-platform opportunities in the future to strengthen the resilience of its live-service strategy.
The situation raises an interesting debate: should Sony continue to strengthen its focus on live-service games, or would a renewed emphasis on single-player narratives be more beneficial to recapture the legacy that once defined its studio achievements? The answer may lie in balancing innovation with the lessons learned from past experiences.