Sony has officially pulled the plug on Fairgame$, the multiplayer heist shooter that had been in development at Haven Studios for several years. The cancellation marks another setback for PlayStation’s ambitious live-service gaming strategy.
However, there’s some good news for the developers. Sony has confirmed that Haven Studios will remain operational, with no layoffs resulting from the cancellation.
In Brief:
- PlayStation has canceled Fairgame$, the multiplayer shooter announced in 2023.
- Recent playtests involving thousands of players failed to meet Sony’s expectations.
- Haven Studios will remain open, with no job cuts resulting from the cancellation.
- The studio will now support other PlayStation first-party teams while exploring new creative opportunities.
PlayStation Cancels Fairgame$ Following Disappointing Playtests
According to a Bloomberg report, Sony decided to cancel Fairgame$ after a recent large-scale playtest failed to deliver the results executives were hoping for.
The test reportedly involved thousands of players, but feedback and player retention fell short of internal targets.
In an email to employees reviewed by Bloomberg, PlayStation executives Sean Decker and John Doyle explained that the game had demonstrated promising technical performance and live-service readiness.
However, mixed player feedback, disappointing retention figures, and increasingly challenging conditions in the competitive PvP shooter market ultimately led to the decision to stop development.
The cancellation comes after several years of development challenges. Fairgame$ had reportedly undergone multiple reworks, with Sony even planning to reintroduce the game under a different name.
Unfortunately, those plans will no longer move forward.
Haven Studios Will Remain Open With No Layoffs
Unlike several other canceled PlayStation projects, Fairgame$’s cancellation won’t result in developers losing their jobs.
A PlayStation spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg that Haven Studios will remain operational.
“The studio will shift its focus to collaborating with other development teams across PlayStation Studios,” the company stated, adding that Haven will also explore new creative opportunities.
Sony acquired the Montreal-based developer in 2022, just a year after it was founded by veteran game developer Jade Raymond.
Raymond, who previously worked on major franchises including Assassin’s Creed, departed Haven Studios in May 2025 following concerns about the game’s development progress.
Although Haven will no longer lead development on Fairgame$, its developers will continue contributing to projects across PlayStation Studios.
Sony has not revealed which teams Haven will collaborate with or whether the studio will eventually develop another original game.
What Was Fairgame$ Supposed to Be?
Originally revealed during the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Fairgame$ was positioned as a competitive multiplayer heist shooter for PlayStation 5 and PC.
The game revolved around players joining an underground movement to rob wealthy individuals and corporations.
Players would work together in crews, infiltrate heavily guarded locations, collect valuable loot, and compete against rival teams.
Haven Studios hoped to create a fresh multiplayer experience centered around teamwork, creativity, and emergent gameplay.
However, despite its initial announcement, Sony shared very little official gameplay information over the following three years.
Now, the project has been canceled before ever reaching players.
Another Setback for PlayStation’s Live-Service Strategy
The cancellation adds Fairgame$ to a growing list of PlayStation live-service projects that never reached their intended audience.
Sony previously canceled The Last of Us Online in 2023, while Concord was shut down shortly after its disastrous 2024 launch.
Other multiplayer projects, including the planned God of War live-service game, were also canceled.
Although Helldivers 2 demonstrated that PlayStation could succeed in the live-service market, Sony’s broader strategy has faced repeated setbacks.
