Sony Cancels Live Service Games: Lessons from Anthem’s Failure

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Sony’s Cancellation of Unannounced Live Service PlayStation Games: A Strategic Move to Avoid Another Concord Level Flop

Sony is a major player in the gaming industry. It has recently made headlines by canceling two unannounced live service PlayStation games. This move has sparked curiosity and concern among gamers and industry experts alike. After the disastrous launch of Anthem in 2019, Sony seems to be taking a cautious approach. The launch was compared to the infamous Concord plane crash. They want to avoid another major flop. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind Sony’s decision and its potential impact on the gaming industry.

The Rise and Fall of Anthem

In February 2019, Anthem was released by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts (EA) as a live service game. The game was highly anticipated and had a massive budget of $100 million. However, it failed to meet the expectations of both players and critics. The game was plagued with technical issues, lack of content, and poor gameplay mechanics. As a result, it received negative reviews and was deemed a commercial failure.

The failure of Anthem had a significant impact on EA’s financials. The company reported a $315 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2019. It also damaged BioWare’s reputation, which was known for its successful franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. The game’s failure was compared to the infamous Concord plane crash, which led to the downfall of the supersonic airliner. This comparison highlighted the magnitude of Anthem’s failure and its potential impact on the gaming industry.

Sony’s Strategic Move

Sony’s decision to cancel two unannounced live service PlayStation games may seem like a sudden and drastic move. However, it is a strategic decision that reflects the company’s cautious approach towards live service games. Sony has been known for its high-quality exclusive titles like God of War, The Last of Us, and Spider-Man. These single-player games have been highly successful and have contributed significantly to Sony’s revenue and reputation.

On the other hand, Sony’s experience with live service games has not been as successful. In addition to Anthem, the company also faced backlash for the launch of Marvel’s Avengers in 2020. The game was criticized for its repetitive gameplay, lack of content, and technical issues. This experience may have influenced Sony’s decision to cancel the two unannounced live service games. The company does not want to risk another major flop.

The Impact on the Gaming Industry

Sony’s decision to cancel two unannounced live service PlayStation games may have a ripple effect on the gaming industry. Live service games have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many companies adopting this model to generate recurring revenue. However, the failure of Anthem and Marvel’s Avengers has raised concerns about the sustainability of this model.

Moreover, Sony’s decision may also affect the development and release of live service games in the future. Developers may become more cautious and invest more time and resources in ensuring the quality of their games before launch. This could lead to longer development cycles and potentially delay the release of highly anticipated titles.

Conclusion

Sony’s cancellation of two unannounced live service PlayStation games is a strategic move to avoid another major flop like Anthem. The failure of this game has highlighted the risks linked to live service games. It also shows their potential impact on the gaming industry. Sony’s decision may also have a ripple effect on the development and release of live service games in the future. As gamers, we hope this move will lead to better quality games. We also hope for a more sustainable gaming industry.