Amidst the bustling world of gaming, PlayStation Studios is gearing up to redefine its live service game strategy. Hermen Hulst, the head of PlayStation Studios, has expressed optimism about Bungie’s upcoming title, Marathon, ensuring that past missteps with Concord will not be repeated. Despite challenges in the live service sector, including the abrupt shutdown of Concord and other projects from internal studios like Bluepoint Games and Bend Studios, Hulst believes that these experiences have provided valuable lessons. The company aims to implement rigorous validation processes and creative adjustments to ensure a successful launch of Marathon, which represents Bungie's first major project since being acquired by PlayStation in 2022.
Following the underwhelming debut of Concord last year, PlayStation acknowledged the need for improvement in their live service ventures. Concord's failure prompted Sony to close Firewalk Studios shortly afterward, admitting that the game did not meet expectations. This setback was compounded earlier this year when two more live service titles were canceled during development at Bluepoint Games and Bend Studios. In response to these setbacks, Hermen Hulst emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. He highlighted the unique challenges associated with live service games and noted that while some efforts succeeded, such as Helldivers II, others faced significant hurdles due to insufficient market differentiation.
To address these issues, PlayStation Studios has adopted more stringent procedures for validating and revalidating creative and commercial assumptions throughout the development process. These ongoing evaluations aim to ensure timely investments in promising opportunities while maintaining predictable timelines for future releases. With Marathon set to be Bungie's first new game in over a decade, expectations are high for a bold and innovative experience. Currently undergoing testing phases, the game has received mixed feedback, which developers view as constructive input to refine the final product.
Despite Hulst's confidence in Marathon's potential, recent reports suggest internal concerns regarding morale at Bungie following accusations of using unauthorized art assets. Additionally, varied player feedback has sparked apprehension ahead of the game's planned September 23 release date. Earlier this year, Sony also announced layoffs affecting approximately 220 employees after exceeding financial safety thresholds. Nevertheless, the studio remains committed to delivering an engaging and polished title upon its official launch.
As PlayStation Studios refines its approach to live service games, the focus remains on leveraging lessons learned from previous endeavors. By implementing robust validation processes and embracing iterative improvements, the team aims to position Marathon as a standout success. With Bungie's expertise and PlayStation's resources combined, there is hope that this ambitious project will resonate with players worldwide, marking a turning point in the studio's journey into the competitive realm of live service gaming.