Sony`s live-service shooter Concord was discontinued in 2024 after merely two weeks, marking one of the publisher`s significant setbacks. Hermen Hulst, Sony Interactive Entertainment`s chief executive of studio business, stated that the primary takeaway from Concord`s failure was the necessity for enhanced oversight during game development.
Hulst informed the Financial Times that “much more rigorous and frequent testing” has since been implemented through various methods. He added that the benefit of any failure is that it reinforces the understanding of how crucial such oversight is.
Hulst expressed his desire for Sony`s PlayStation studios to pursue ambitious new franchises, while also emphasizing the importance of identifying and addressing potential failures early, prior to a game`s release.
“I don`t want teams to always play it safe,” remarked Hulst, “but I would like for us, when we fail, to fail early and cheaply.”
Despite Concord`s poor performance, Sony reiterated its commitment to live-service games. When discussing future entries in this genre, Hulst minimized the significance of the sheer number of available titles, emphasizing instead: “What is important to me is having a diverse set of player experiences and a set of communities.”
Bungie`s upcoming title, Marathon, is among Sony`s next planned live-service launches. This game has already faced negative comparisons to Concord and was indefinitely postponed in June. Recent reports suggest that Bungie is gradually losing its autonomy to PlayStation Studios, and last week, long-serving CEO Pete Parsons announced his resignation after twenty years with the company.
Marathon is currently anticipated to launch before the conclusion of Sony`s fiscal year, ending March 31, 2026.