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

"Tech Prophet" Who Predicted the iPhone Now Predicts... - Ad

Better Than Bitcoin? (Top Crypto for Less Than $1) - Ad

Elon's New Device Could Launch Biggest IPO of the Decade - Ad

Popular

Marjorie Taylor Greene Buys Blue Chip Stock Near 52-Week Low

Marjorie Taylor Greene is known for buying multiple stocks at a time, based on recent disclosures. A new filing shows one stock bought in November.

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.

Trump Signs Law to Launch Dollar 2.0

Trump Signs Law to Launch Dollar 2.0 - Ad

Trump just signed law S.1582, unleashing the biggest money shift in 100+ years. For the first time since 1913, private firms - not the Fed - can mint a "Dollar 2.0." Treasury says it could drain $6.6T from banks and pay 10X current savings rates. Early investors in minting firms could see 40X returns by 2032.

'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author Robert Kiyosaki Warns Of Crash In BTC, ETH, Gold, Silves Prices, But Says He's Buying, Not Selling: Here's Why

Robert Kiyosaki, author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” has shared his investment strategy amid predictions of an economic downturn.

MacKenzie Scott Has Donated More Than $19 Billion, Yet Her Wealth Grows Faster

MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated a staggering $19.25 billion since 2020.

Is This Elon's Worst Nightmare?

Is This Elon's Worst Nightmare? - Ad

Elon's empire looks doomed - crashing sales, lost tax credits, and media backlash. But behind the scenes, Tesla is about to unleash a breakthrough Forbes calls a "multi-trillion-dollar opportunity." It's not the end - it's the start of a 25,000% AI comeback.

Jim Cramer: Chipotle Is 'Too Expensive,' Buy This Plane Maker

On "Mad Money," Cramer discusses Henry Schein, Bloom Energy, Tyler Technologies, Boeing and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Warren Buffett Initiates Alphabet Position, Trims Apple In Q3 — Here Are Berkshire's Moves

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway took a new stake in a member of the Magnificent Seven, while lowering its stake in Apple in the third quarter.

Bloomberg says AI is a $50 trillion revolution.

Bloomberg says AI is a $50 trillion revolution. - Ad

And at the center of it... isn't NVIDIA. It's a tiny supplier NVIDIA cannot live without. Insiders like Griffin and Druckenmiller are dumping NVIDIA shares... and quietly piling into this obscure stock. And with NVIDIA set to make a major announcement on December 19 at 5pm, time is running out.

UPS cargo plane with 3 aboard explodes on takeoff at Louisville airport, igniting huge fire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A large UPS cargo plane with three people aboard crashed Tuesday while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky, igniting an explosion and massive fire that left a thick plume of black smoke over the area.

Cathie Wood Goes All-In On Peter Thiel's Crypto Play Bullish With Back-To-Back Million-Dollar Buys

Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest purchased shares in Bullish, a crypto exchange backed by Peter Thiel, through three of its funds. Other key trades were also made, including buying shares in CRISPR and Beam Therapeutics.

Buy This Gold Stock Before the New Year

Buy This Gold Stock Before the New Year - Ad

America is about to see a massive shift in how regular people buy and store gold. Next year, the world's largest gold buyer is expected to launch a new way for everyday Americans to invest in gold with a simple tap on their phone - and it could go live in 2026. When it does, a tiny gold stock trading around $1.60 could explode.

Trump administration moves to loosen restrictions it once supported on a harmful pollutant

WASHINGTON (AP) — Near the end of his first term, President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that and air conditioners. The bipartisan measure brought environmentalists and major business groups into rare alignment on the contentious issue of climate change and won praise across the political spectrum.

Pizza Hut's parent company says it's considering selling the chain

Pizza Hut could soon be up for sale.

This Makes NVIDIA Nervous

This Makes NVIDIA Nervous - Ad

NVIDIA's AI chips use huge amounts of power. But a new chip could cut energy use by 99% and run 10 million times more efficiently. One U.S. company has cornered this market. They control the first commercial foundry in America. At under $20 a share, it's a ground-floor shot at the next tech giant.

Ferrari CEO Confirms Electric Car Plans, Raises Full-Year Outlook

Ferrari N.V. stock rose after reporting Q3 results and guidance. Sales grew 7.4% and EPS beat estimates. Net revenues and adjusted EPS outlook raised.

GOP Senators Applaud Trump's Nvidia Advanced Chip Ban As Jensen Huang Warns China Could Dominate AI Race — Urges US To Race Ahead By Doing This

Eight Republican senators praised President Donald Trump for upholding Nvidia's AI chip export ban to China.

Gold Is Being Reintroduced Into the Monetary System

Gold Is Being Reintroduced Into the Monetary System - Ad

While the media focuses on political scandals, inflation and coming up with ridiculous acronyms "TACO"... Smart money is tracking a far bigger shift: a gold revaluation is quietly underway. Garrett Goggin, CFA, says this could trigger 100X moves in select miners - and he's identified four with the biggest upside.

Jensen Huang Explains Why He Loved His Dishwashing Job — Nvidia CEO Pours Cold Water Over Popular Idea Of Finding 'Something You Love'

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shares his unconventional view on passion and work, emphasizing the value of commitment and dedication in creating passion.

JPMorgan Forecasts Bitcoin Bottom, Anticipates $28.3 Trillion Challenge To Gold By 2026

Analysts at JPMorgan have pinpointed the lowest point of the ongoing Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price fall and also projected a substantial chall

Legally "Skim" $6,361 Into Your Account?

Legally "Skim" $6,361 Into Your Account? - Ad

A former hedge fund manager is now sharing his "Skim Codes" with regular people. They're not stocks. They're not crypto. They're 18-character codes designed to profit from recent market conditions. All you have to do is punch them into an ordinary brokerage account. 84% of these codes have given people the chance to generate cash payouts so far... and his next code is going out any day now.

Hillary Clinton Says Trump Taking A 'Break' From Gold-And-Marble Interior Renovations To Defy Court Order On SNAP: 'Nero Would Be Proud'

Hillary Clinton criticizes Trump for withholding SNAP benefits during shutdown, accusing him of defying court order and being indifferent to public suffering. Democrats blast Trump for creating hunger crisis and breaking the law.

'No hire' job market leaves unemployed in limbo as threats to economy multiply

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Carly Kaprive left a job in Kansas City and moved to Chicago a year ago, she figured it would take three to six months to find a new position. After all, the 32-year old project manager had never been unemployed for longer than three months.

"Tech Prophet" Who Predicted the iPhone Now Predicts...

"Tech Prophet" Who Predicted the iPhone Now Predicts... - Ad

George Gilder - who predicted the iPhone 17 years early and gave Reagan the first microchip - is making his boldest call yet. He says an American nanotech "super-convergence" could mint more millionaires than any event in recent memory. He's found 3 stocks set to benefit the most.

Trump's 50-Year Mortgage Plan, Sanders Critiques Musk, Trump Backs Crypto And More: This Week In Politics

Weekend headlines: Trump's 50-year mortgage plan, Sanders criticizes Musk, Trump backs crypto, Scaramucci on NYC mayor, Mamdani challenges Trump.

California revokes 17,000 driver's licenses. But the state disputes it is over immigration concerns

California plans to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses given to immigrants after the Trump administration raised concerns about people in the country illegally receiving licenses to drive a semitruck or a bus. But Gov. Gavin Newsom said that isn't the reason.

Better Than Bitcoin? (Top Crypto for Less Than $1)

Better Than Bitcoin? (Top Crypto for Less Than $1) - Ad

Over the past 15 years, Bitcoin has outperformed stocks, bonds, and every other asset you could've bought. 2025 is already shaping up to be another banner year, with Bitcoin recently hitting a new all-time high. But there's a better way to profit from this new crypto rally. Most people don't know about it... and yet it's returned over 1,000% in 4 months. This could be the #1 way to invest in crypto right now.

Bitcoin's Bull Run Is Now At The Fed's Mercy: Here's What That Means

Liquidity shifts from the Federal Reserve could determine whether Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) reverses its downtrend or enters a 2019-style correction.

McDonald's Q3 Preview: Report Shows Visitor Slump — Can Value Meals, Monopoly Help Guidance?

McDonald's may have seen a drop in visitors during the third quarter, according to a new report. Here's why investors may be more excited about Q4.

Elon's New Device Could Launch Biggest IPO of the Decade

Elon's New Device Could Launch Biggest IPO of the Decade - Ad

Elon Musk's new device is being called a "game-changer"-and even the White House is using this tech. Jeff Brown says it could launch Musk's next trillion-dollar company and make early investors rich. You can claim a stake now for as little as $500.

Peloton Stock Rallies After Q1 Earnings: Here's Why

Peloton stock climbs after the company released its first-quarter earnings report after Thursday's closing bell.

Consumer Tech News (Oct 27-31): Nvidia Surpasses $5T Market Cap, Trump-Xi Meeting Concludes, Big Tech Report Earnings & More

Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet beat Q3 estimates with revenue and earnings growth. Trump and Xi conclude high-stakes meeting with trade, soybean, and resource agreements, potentially impacting U.S.-China economic relations and global markets.

Trump Signs Law to Launch Dollar 2.0

Trump Signs Law to Launch Dollar 2.0 - Ad

Serbia passes a special bill enabling Trump's son-in-law to build luxury complex despite opposition

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian lawmakers on Friday passed a special law clearing the way for a proposed real estate project that would be financed by an investment company linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law despite and legal hurdles.

TSLA, PLTR, IREN And More: 5 Stocks That Dominated Investor Buzz This Week

Retail investors talked up five hot stocks this week (Nov. 3–7) on X and Reddit's r/WallStreetBets: TSLA, PLTR, MSTR, AMD, IREN.

Is This Elon's Worst Nightmare?

Is This Elon's Worst Nightmare? - Ad

Abu Dhabi hosts oil summit as OPEC+ halts production hikes planned for first quarter of 2026

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Abu Dhabi hosted a major oil summit Monday, hours after the OPEC+ cartel and its allies said it would halt further production increases planned in the first quarter of 2026 over concerns of too much supply in the market.

AT&T reached a $177M data breach settlement. What consumers should know about claiming their money

NEW YORK (AP) — AT&T has reached a combined $177 million settlement over two . And impacted consumers have a little over a month left to file a claim for their chunk of the money.

Bloomberg says AI is a $50 trillion revolution.

Bloomberg says AI is a $50 trillion revolution. - Ad

Anthony Scaramucci Calls Zohran Mamdani's Win An 'Anger-Based Reaction' To Boomer Policies, Says New NYC Mayor Could Become 'Popular' If...

Anthony Scaramucci, the founder of SkyBridge Capital, described Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City's mayoral race as an “anger-based reaction” by the young people against the policies of the boomer generation's political elites.

Trending Now