Sony’s journey into the live-service games industry has been anything but smooth, though they remain committed to this promising sector. Despite encountering financial hiccups with releases like Concord and the delayed Marathon, Sony’s Chief Financial Officer, Lin Tao, expresses optimism about the live-service genre’s potential.
During a recent Q&A after Sony’s financial report, Tao addressed investor concerns regarding these setbacks. He openly discussed the challenges faced, acknowledging the negative news surrounding titles such as Concord, which was shut down shortly after its release due to poor reception. This live-service multiplayer shooter, developed by Firewalk Studios, was launched in 2024 but quickly discontinued, leading to full refunds for players. The endeavor reportedly cost Sony between $100 and $200 million, yet it only managed to recover $1 million.
Meanwhile, the anticipated project Marathon, developed by the renowned Bungie team, responsible for classics like Halo and Destiny, has also experienced delays. Originally expected in September 2025, its release has been postponed, with no new date announced.
Tao highlighted that, despite these hurdles, live-service titles have been a strong revenue stream for Sony over the past five years, transitioning from being “almost non-existent” within PlayStation Studios. Successful games like Helldivers 2, MLB The Show, Destiny 2, and Gran Turismo 7 have collectively contributed 40% of Sony’s first-party video revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
He acknowledges the transition into this genre “is not entirely going smoothly” but insists on learning from past mistakes to ensure future content is delivered more efficiently.
Beyond the live-service sphere, Sony has also dealt with unrelated setbacks, including the cancellation of projects by Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games in 2025, notably an unannounced God of War title. Despite these challenges, Sony remains determined to innovate and thrive in this evolving industry.
