# Sony Halts Two Significant Live-Service Projects, Including a God of War Spin-Off
In a surprising turn of events, Sony has opted to cease the development of two live-service titles from its esteemed PlayStation Studios, particularly Bluepoint Games and Bend Studio. This decision, confirmed by a representative from Sony, follows a “recent review” of the initiatives. While these cancellations may dishearten fans, Sony assures that neither studio will undergo closure and will instead focus on new endeavors.
## The Ascendancy and Decline of Sony’s Live-Service Initiative
In recent years, Sony has been aggressively pursuing live-service games—titles intended to produce sustained revenue through continued updates, multiplayer features, and monetization strategies. This strategy mirrors the wider industry trend of evolving games into a service model (GaaS), which has seen success with titles like *Fortnite* and *Destiny 2*. However, Sony’s journey into this realm has encountered variable outcomes.
While games like *Helldivers 2* experienced early success last year, other live-service projects, such as *Concord*, faced challenges in gaining interest and were promptly abandoned. The cancellations of Bluepoint and Bend Studio’s projects indicate that Sony is reassessing its strategy in the live-service arena, potentially hinting at a return to its foundational narrative-centric, single-player offerings.
## Bluepoint’s Axed God of War Spin-Off
Among the scrapped projects was a live-service game set within the *God of War* universe. Bluepoint Games, well-known for its critically acclaimed remasters of *Demon’s Souls* (2020) and *Shadow of the Colossus* (2018), had been developing this original concept since the debut of *Demon’s Souls*. As reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, this endeavor aimed to innovate within the *God of War* franchise by venturing into the live-service domain.
The concept of a live-service *God of War* title was undoubtedly ambitious but also marked a significant shift away from the franchise’s traditional single-player, narrative-driven structure. Enthusiasts of the series, which has significantly shaped PlayStation’s identity, may find solace in this cancellation as it helps keep the series aligned with its foundational principles.
## Bend Studio’s Stalled Multiplayer Title
Bend Studio, famous for its 2019 open-world action game *Days Gone*, was also pursuing a live-service project. Although specifics about this venture are limited, it was reportedly another endeavor by Sony to carve out a presence in the multiplayer gaming arena. Bend Studio has faced a challenging few years, with *Days Gone* initially receiving mixed feedback but subsequently garnering a dedicated following. The anticipation surrounding their next project makes this cancellation a notable disappointment.
## Sony’s Live-Service Experiment: A Complicated Outcome
Sony’s assertive move into the live-service domain has been a double-edged sword. On one side, the company has aimed to broaden its portfolio and penetrate the lucrative multiplayer sector. Conversely, the scrapping of multiple projects, including a rumored Spider-Man live-service title, indicates that the strategy may not have yielded the desired success.
The struggles of creating live-service games are well-recognized. Such titles necessitate considerable resources, ongoing support, and a committed audience to thrive. Even long-established franchises can find it difficult to adapt to this format, as evidenced by the tepid reception of *Marvel’s Avengers* by Square Enix.
## What’s in Store for Bluepoint and Bend Studio?
Despite the project cancellations, Sony has reaffirmed its dedication to both Bluepoint and Bend Studio. A company spokesperson stated, “Bend and Bluepoint are high-profile teams that are valued members of the PlayStation Studios family, and we are working closely with each studio to determine their next projects.”
This statement implies that both studios will shift towards new ventures, potentially revisiting the types of games that originally led to their success. For Bluepoint, this could translate into another high-quality remake or an original single-player project. For Bend Studio, it might involve returning to the open-world mechanics that earned them a loyal fanbase with *Days Gone*.
## A Wider Industry Phenomenon
Sony’s choice to cancel these initiatives is not an isolated case. Across the gaming landscape, studios are increasingly willing to abandon projects that fall short of internal benchmarks, even after considerable time and resources have been allocated. This trend underscores the high risk associated with game development, where the ramifications of failure can be significant.
For instance, Rockstar Games recently halted a fan-created *Grand Theft Auto* project, and various other studios have similarly abandoned ambitious yet high-risk projects. While these decisions may disappoint fans, they are often essential for the long-term viability of a studio or publisher.
## Looking Forward: A Crucial Year for Sony
The cancellations arrive at a pivotal juncture for Sony, as the company contends with increasing competition from Microsoft and Nintendo. While