Sony has persisted in their quest for success in the live-service genre, following the remarkable triumph of Helldivers 2. However, many other endeavors have fallen short, from abandoned projects like The Last of Us Factions to the disappointing launch of Concord. Upcoming live-service games from PlayStation, Marathon and Fairgames$, appear to be facing similar struggles toward success, with Fairgames$ particularly precarious on the edge of failure, much like the notorious Concord.
Fairgames$
Despite the challenges Marathon has faced lately, including disputes about stolen art and polarizing responses to playtests, it seems that Fairgames$ is the live-service project that might struggle the most with a lackluster launch.
If you’ve overlooked the game called Fairgames, it’s understandable since there hasn’t been any substantial content released aside from a CGI teaser trailer in May 2023. According to the PlayStation Blog, it is positioned as a contemporary reinterpretation of the heist genre and is intended for release on both PS5 and PC systems.
It’s already concerning that a game hasn’t been seen for over two years, but things have become even more worrying. Reports suggest that the game has been delayed internally until 2026. Furthermore, in May, the studio’s founder left Haven, the game’s developer. Additionally, according to Colin Moriarty of Sacred Symbols, an early version of the game under the codename Project Hearts received only negative feedback. Players described it as “super clunky” and “not enjoyable to play”.
For Fairgames$, the situation isn’t ideal because it’s not only an entirely fresh intellectual property, lacking the bond of nostalgia. Furthermore, it’s being created by a lesser-known studio without a strong brand, recognition, or fanbase like that of Bungie.
If the product is released in 2026, it’s probable that it will carry a high price tag, much like Concord. Giving it away for free on PS Plus Essential for a month could be an option, but this doesn’t necessarily mean people will try it, as the free trials of Concord didn’t generate significant interest.
2026 might see various offerings going head-to-head against Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA6). Set for release on May 26th, GTA6 is poised to overshadow any contemporaries due to its anticipated single-player and multiplayer modes, offering a live-service experience. Even if other games like Fairgames$ choose to avoid direct competition by launching later, they could still face challenges as they’d be releasing amidst popular annual sports games and the next Call of Duty.
Marathon
Originally set for a September launch, Marathon’s release has been postponed without a new date being disclosed. Bungie hints at revealing the updated release schedule during fall, implying a potential early 2026 debut.
A launch around early 2026 might be best since it sidesteps GTA 6’s release and, at present, there’s no significant competition planned for the initial months of the following year. Nevertheless, the game is encountering substantial challenges, with Forbes’ Paul Tassi, a well-known admirer of Bungie and Destiny, expressing concerns about its future success: “Marathon faces significant hurdles, and it seems that only a remarkable turn of events can help this game achieve the industry acclaim Sony hopes for as a hit.
While media attention has been focused on cases of stolen artworks, another matter that deserves attention is the less-than-favorable responses towards alpha figures. The fan base for the game Marathon seems elusive, with developers Bungie themselves advising Destiny fans that Marathon might not be suitable for them.
As a devoted fan, I must share some insights about the upcoming game, Marathon. Unlike Destiny, which caters to a vast majority of Bungie’s audience, Marathon won’t be a free-to-play title. This means that anyone who has reservations about its multiplayer experience will need to invest money to give it a try. Interestingly, Helldivers 2 managed to thrive with a premium fee and February release, but it’s highly unlikely that Marathon can match Arrowhead’s unprecedented player numbers due to the fact that Helldivers 2 didn’t face the same level of controversy and negativity prior to its launch.
Although Marathon may not lead to an immediate removal from the PSN store or server shutdown within a week of its release, it could still be considered a disappointment for PlayStation, given the substantial investment Sony has made in Bungie. Reportedly, Sony invested $3.7 billion to acquire Bungie in July 2022. If Marathon fails to garner significant success in the live-service market, with low player counts and minimal spending on microtransactions, it would essentially represent a squandered investment for Sony.
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2025-06-19 17:40