Sony Cancels Two Live-Service Games, Stays Committed to Long-Term Monetization

Anusuya Lahiri

January 17, 2025

Sony Group Corp’s (NYSE:SONY) PlayStation dumped two unannounced live service projects at Syphon Filter and Days Gone developer Bend Studio and God of War game developer Bluepoint Games after a strategic review, Bloomberg reports.

PlayStation is currently discussing with the studios how to determine their following projects.

PlayStation remains aggressively invested in live-service games, which can be monetized months and years after their launch.

Also Read: WWE, Squid Game Fuel Netflix Ad-Supported Growth: Analyst Sets $1,000 Price Forecast

Sony’s strategy bore it a hit in 2024’s Helldivers II and several flops, including Concord, prompting it to cancel several live-service games over the last few years, including one based on Spider-Man.

Sony sold 3.8 million PlayStation5 units in the fiscal second quarter of 2024, compared to 4.9 million a year ago. Sony’s Game & Network Services revenue rose 12% to 1.07 trillion Japanese yen (on top of consolidated sales of ¥2.91 trillion), and operating income grew 184% to ¥138.8 billion.

The video game industry battled challenges in the last two years, including losing thousands of jobs. Notable gaming studio closures included Netlix Inc’s (NASDAQ:NFLX) Southern California AAA game studio, Team Blue, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc’s (NASDAQ:TTWO) London’s Roll7 and Seattle’s Intercept Games, Microsoft Corp’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) several video-game studios within its Xbox division, and NetEase Inc’s (NASDAQ:NTES) Ouka Studios.

Reportedly, Krafton Inc. of PUBG: Battlegrounds earmarked over 200 billion won ($136 million) to over twelve game studios in sync with its artificial intelligence investment.

Over the past two years, Krafton incurred $680 million in investment in game studios. It also tapped Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) to showcase more lifelike non-player characters in its Inzoi life simulation game.

Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, remains focused on its AI-driven game studio. It is challenging the giant game studios, which, according to the Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) chief, prioritize profit over player engagement and creativity.

Last October, JPMorgan analysts expressed optimism over mobile gaming trends and spending on consoles backed by the gaming pipeline.

Sony Group stock surged over 11% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock through Avantis International Equity ETF (NYSE:AVDE) and Invesco International Dividend Achievers ETF (NASDAQ:PID).

Price Action: SONY stock traded higher by 1.13% at $20.55 premarket at last check Friday.

Also Read:

Microsoft’s Decision To Shut Down Arkane Austin Called ‘Stupid’ By Studio Founder

Photo via Shutterstock

Recommended

The Smart Money Copper Trade - Ad

Copper Is Tight, Silver Is Rising - And This Early Nevada Play Hits the Timing Perfectly - Ad

The New Payments ETF Is Live on NASDAQ: - Ad

President Donald Trump has revealed that his administration is actively exploring the possibility of implementing a retirement savings system similar to Australia's in the United States.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Goes Bargain Shopping, Discloses Buying These Two Stocks At 52-Week Lows

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene disclosed some new stocks recently. Unlike past trades in 2024 and 2025, the latest disclosure is rather unique.

Real-Time Finance Hits Wall Street

Real-Time Finance Hits Wall Street - Ad

A new ETF built for the payments revolution is now trading. Seconds-level settlement and a 0.50% fee* make it one of the cleanest structures yet.

Costco becomes biggest company yet to demand refund of Trump tariffs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Costco is joining other companies that aren't waiting to see President Donald Trump's most sweeping import taxes. They're going to court to demand refunds on the tariffs they've paid.

What's Going On With Snowflake Shares Wednesday?

Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) is in the spotlight Wednesday ahead of third-quarter earnings after the market closes.

$270,000 Drug. One Competitor. Billion-Dollar Market.

$270,000 Drug. One Competitor. Billion-Dollar Market. - Ad

Phase 3 trial targets recurrent pericarditis with an oral therapy that could disrupt the only approved treatment. And their heart failure program launches in 2026.

Scaramucci Says This One US Mistake Helped China Become a Manufacturing Superpower

Anthony Scaramucci recently highlighted what he considers a significant error by the US that enabled China to ascend as a manufacturing superpower.

Trump commutes prison sentence for former private equity executive David Gentile

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President has commuted the prison sentence of former investment manager David Gentile, who was convicted of defrauding investors — the latest in a Trump has taken in .

Weiss Gold Veteran Makes Shocking New Call

Weiss Gold Veteran Makes Shocking New Call - Ad

Weiss expert Sean Brodrick went out on a limb last year and declared a historic event would send the yellow metal to $3,150. People laughed at him at the time, but he was off by just two days. Now, Sean has a shocking new prediction for gold ... and reveals a little-known way to get ahead of this bull market.

US air travelers without REAL IDs will be charged a $45 fee

Air travelers in the U.S. without a will be charged a $45 fee beginning in February, the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday.

5 Financial To-Dos Before the End of 2025

As 2025 winds down, here are some moves to help you finish the year strong financially. Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, Christine Benz, discusses strategies.

The $43B Big Pharma Story is Starting Over-With a New Player

The $43B Big Pharma Story is Starting Over-With a New Player - Ad

Big Pharma once paid $43B for a small biotech with a similar platform. Now, a new company is following that same playbook, leveraging its patented delivery technology to attract partnerships and near-term revenue potential.

Airbus Orders Emergency Recall Of 6,000 A320 Jets After JetBlue Incident, Triggering Global Flight Delays And Holiday Travel Chaos

Airbus SE (OTC: EADSF) ordered immediate repairs to A320-family aircraft on Friday, recalling 6,000 jets after a recent JetBlue incident.

John Bolton Questions Trump's Latest 'Incoherent Strategy' To Achieve Ukraine-Russia Agreement, Calls It 'Typically Trumpian'

Bolton criticizes Trump's 28-point peace proposal for Russia-Ukraine conflict as incoherent and lacking strategy, claiming it benefits Moscow.

The Next Biggest Bull Run In Over 50 Years

The Next Biggest Bull Run In Over 50 Years - Ad

Gold has hit all-time highs, breaking $4,000 an ounce - but history shows it could be on the verge of its biggest bull run in over half a century... triggered by a likely major event, eerily similar to what happened in the 1970s. (It's NOT inflation or anything you're likely expecting.) Now, a top analyst says you can capture ALL of the upside without touching a risky miner or a boring exchange-traded fund. He sees extraordinary potential gains long term with very little risk.

Adam Schiff Warns Trump Is Dragging America Toward A Venezuela War, Slams GOP For Treating Congress Like An 'Unnecessary Appendage'

Schiff warns that Trump's approach to Venezuela could lead to conflict and Congress must assert its power before it's too late.

Donald Trump Administration's Unprecedented Investment In Private Firms Raises Eyebrows

President Trump administration has invested over $10 billion of taxpayer funds in private companies deemed crucial to national security.

The Repeatable Strategy Behind 20+ Early Memecoin Wins (Revealed)

The Repeatable Strategy Behind 20+ Early Memecoin Wins (Revealed) - Ad

Few analysts have been able to consistently spot strong memecoin setups, but our team has developed a repeatable framework that has helped them identify high-momentum plays early. Now they've uncovered a new project showing similar characteristics, and they want you to see the full breakdown yourself.

Barrick's Breakup Rumors, North America Versus The World

Barrick Mining (NYSE: B) may split into two companies, one focused on North America and another on Africa and Asia.

Silver Breaks Out In A Short Squeeze, Rising Yields In Japan Hits Stocks and Bitcoin

Rising Yields In Japan

They've Done It 20+ Times-Now They've Found a New Memecoin to Watch

They've Done It 20+ Times-Now They've Found a New Memecoin to Watch - Ad

Our analysts have built one of the most reliable track records in the memecoin space by recognizing early momentum signals many traders overlook. Their newest pick shows several of the same early indicators found in past standout performers. Get the details before this story spreads.

Samsung Vs Apple: The Foldable Phone War Just Went Nuclear

Samsung just launched a game-changing foldable phone, putting pressure on Apple's rumored foldable iPhone. Will foldables become mainstream?

Elon Musk Says Bitcoin Is Based On Energy, The 'True Currency' — Tesla CEO Says His 'Interesting Side Quest' DOGE Is Still Going On

Tesla and SpaceX CEO reiterated in an interview aired Sunday that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is based on energy, categorizing it among &#8

The Smart Money Copper Trade

The Smart Money Copper Trade - Ad

Quebec discovery. Strong grades. Roads and hydro in place. Funding secured for a busy drill calendar. Each assay can build scale and tighten the window for early entries as EVs and data centers pull harder on copper. Do not wait.

Elon Musk Says He Doesn't Buy Stocks, But Thinks Google Will Be 'Pretty Valuable' In The Future And Nvidia's An 'Obvious' One

Elon Musk says he doesn't invest in stocks but believes Google and Nvidia are best positioned to dominate the future economy through AI, robotics, and space, while both companies continue to post strong earnings and market gains.

New York advances casinos at a Bronx golf course and near Mets stadium

NEW YORK (AP) — Casinos proposed for a golf course in the Bronx and next to the New York Mets’ ballpark are poised to cash in on a for the New York City area.

Copper Is Tight, Silver Is Rising - And This Early Nevada Play Hits the Timing Perfectly

Copper Is Tight, Silver Is Rising - And This Early Nevada Play Hits the Timing Perfectly - Ad

AI, electrification, battery storage, and data centers are pushing copper and silver demand sharply higher, even as supply stays tight. This region in Nevada offers rare multi-metal potential, and a new company has secured land in a district the surging district. It's one of the cleanest timing setups in the sector right now.

OpenAI's Partners Rake Up $96 Billion Debt as AI Industry's Borrowing Trend Escalates

Companies supplying data centers, chips, and processing power to OpenAI have racked up a staggering $96 billion in debt to fund their operations.

Trump's Doctor Shares MRI Scan Results, White House Confirms Heart And Abdominal Scans 'Perfectly Normal' Amid Transparency Debate

The White House released a memo on Trump's previously undisclosed MRI exam which showed normal results. Trump, 79, underwent the scan as part of an advanced physical. His physician confirmed no evidence of health concerns. Public curiosity and vague comments from Trump led to the release.

The New Payments ETF Is Live on NASDAQ:

The New Payments ETF Is Live on NASDAQ: - Ad

Money is moving to real-time rails, and a newly listed ETF now gives investors direct exposure. Fast settlement. Institutional custody. Simple access.

Peter Lynch on AI Stocks: 'I Literally Couldn't Pronounce Nvidia Until About Eight Months Ago'

Peter Lynch has stated that he does not hold any artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, despite the sector's recent surge.

Weekend Crypto Roundup: Bitcoin's Scarcity, Dogecoin's Resistance, Tether's Rating, Trump's Crypto Ties And Peter Schiff's Warning

From Bitcoin's scarcity debate to Dogecoin's resistance level, the crypto market was buzzing with activity this past week.

Real-Time Finance Hits Wall Street

Real-Time Finance Hits Wall Street - Ad

A new ETF built for the payments revolution is now trading. Seconds-level settlement and a 0.50% fee* make it one of the cleanest structures yet.

What's Going On With Home Depot Shares Monday?

Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) shares are bouncing around Monday ahead of earnings later this week. Here's what you need to know.

Trump plans to weaken vehicle mileage rules that limit air pollution

WASHINGTON (AP) — is expected to announce a proposal Wednesday to weaken for the auto industry, loosening regulatory pressure on automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks, according to several people familiar with the White House plans.

$270,000 Drug. One Competitor. Billion-Dollar Market.

$270,000 Drug. One Competitor. Billion-Dollar Market. - Ad

Phase 3 trial targets recurrent pericarditis with an oral therapy that could disrupt the only approved treatment. And their heart failure program launches in 2026.

Bill Gates' Daughter Phoebe's AI Shopping Assistant Found Collecting Extensive User Data: Report

Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates, has been found collecting extensive user data through its browser extension, raising privacy concerns.

(Micro)Strategy's Structural Reset: Why Markets Are Repricing MSTR Beyond Bitcoin

The recent decline in Strategy's (NASDAQ:MSTR) stock price is not a simple pullback, nor is it a reaction driven by short-term sentiment. What is unfolding around MSTR is a broad structural repricing.

Weiss Gold Veteran Makes Shocking New Call

Weiss Gold Veteran Makes Shocking New Call - Ad

Latest opioid settlement plan with OxyContin maker Purdue and Sackler family getting few objections

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers representing OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, branches of the Sackler family that own it, cities, states, counties, Native American tribes, people with addiction and others across the U.S. are expected to deliver a nearly unanimous message for a bankruptcy court judge Friday: Approve a plan to settle thousands of opioid-related lawsuits against the company.

Trending Now