PlayStation’s Next Live Service Game Shouldn’t Be Canceled, Even If Everyone Wants It To Be

PlayStation has gone all in on its live-service efforts, and a lot of people are, understandably, upset about that. Simply put, so far, PlayStation has not inspired much confidence in its fans, myself included, when it comes to both the success and the quality of its live service titles. Whether it’s the disastrous Concord, the litany of canceled titles, or Marathon, the game seemingly destined to fail, PlayStation is floundering in the live service market.

Of course, many assumed that PlayStation’s controversial acquisition of Bungie would fix things, and, in many ways, it has been for the better. However, the problems largely persist, to the point that many assumed that an upcoming high-profile PlayStation live service game had been canceled. To the dismay of many, it hasn’t, but that is actually a good thing, as, despite live-service games being as popular as Ubisoft right now, this one deserves a chance in the spotlight.

Fairgames Isn’t Canceled

Despite Rumors Claiming It Was

You’d be forgiven for not remembering Fairgames – formerly Fairgame$ – the upcoming PlayStation live-service game all about stealing from the rich. That’s because, beyond a CG trailer released two years ago, PlayStation and the game’s developer, Haven Interactive Studios, have done very little marketing. Indeed, it would be understandable if you believed it was culled in the recent mass cancelation of PlayStation live-service games, as that included much higher-profile projects.

However, despite rumors circulating the internet claiming that Fairgames has been canceled, it seems like the project is alive and well and continues to be a part of PlayStation’s misguided live-service push and seems, alongside the ill-fated Marathon. Of course, those rumors didn’t come out of nowhere, with several believing the lack of marketing equated to PlayStation quietly canceling the project and hoping everyone would just forget about it.

Perhaps more damning is the fact that Haven’s founder quit earlier this year. This came shortly before reports via the podcast Sacred Symbols that PlayStation had done a pre-alpha for the game under the codename Project Hearts and had rather disastrous feedback. So, even if Fairgames isn’t canceled now, it is fair to feel like it perhaps should be. However, as much as it is in a rather precarious position right now, I strongly believe it should be given a chance.

Fairgames Should Be Given A Chance

It Deserves The Opportunity To Prove Itself

Three characters wearing monkey masks coming out of pink smoke in Fairgames.

I must stress that I’m rather against live-service games in general. That’s largely because I don’t believe in forever games, nor in the typical model chosen for a live-service title, which relies on predatory monetization methods to make its money. There are exceptions, of course, including the rather phenomenal Helldivers 2, or the accidental live service titles like Space Marine 2. However, for the most part, live-service games are bad for the gaming industry as a whole.

However, I also fundamentally disagree with the notion that a video game should fail or be criticized out of the gate for simply being a live service title. Fairgames has had a rough time online, especially following the endless Concord controversies, and that’s not particularly fair. I found the hatred towards Concord, despite being a fairly solid game in its own right, rather frustrating as it killed what could have been a novel and interesting experience had it been given the time to grow.

The distaste and distrust of live service games is completely understandable, and I’m largely onboard for it. The fewer live service games the better. However, projects that have been worked on for years, potentially close to a decade, shouldn’t be disregarded from the outset just because they fall within a genre that has proven to be immensely unpopular. Games like Fairgames should be given a chance, especially as it seems like PlayStation has finally learned its lesson.

Fairgames Could Save PlayStation’s Live Service Efforts

There’s Always The Possibility

A group of characters looking at pink smoke in Fairgames.

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, PlayStation Studios boss, Herman Hulst, alluded to the fact that it is finally learning from its past mistakes when it comes to live service titles. Rather than its original quantity over quality method which relied on seeing what stuck – alas, nothing did – PlayStation is seeking to focus on fewer, higher-quality games with more rigorous testing.

In the interview, Hulst explained that, “we have since put in place much more rigorous and more frequent testing in very many different ways,” which is extremely reassuring to hear. It will not only lead to fewer canceled projects, but will also prevent entire studios being shut down, which is what sadly happened to the folks that worked tirelessly to create Concord.

I hope that these new rigorous tests are being applied to Fairgames, as it has the potential to actually deliver a unique and interesting extraction experience. Sure, we have plenty of them, and Sony even has another in the works with Marathon, but Fairgames has its unique aesthetic and general narrative concept bolstering it. There is the possibility that it could be something special, something to prove the detractors wrong, and that’s exciting.

At the very least, Haven doesn’t deserve to be struck by mass layoffs and the game it has been working on shut down simply for being a live service product. There is a market for good, quality live service games, as proven by Helldivers 2. PlayStation has shown it has the capacity to produce great experiences, both multiplayer and singleplayer, and I sincerely hope we see that with Fairgames.