PlayStation’s Strategic Shift: Embracing the Era of Live Service Gaming

PlayStation is not planning to abandon live service games anytime soon. In a recent discussion with the Japanese publication Famitsu, PlayStation Co-CEO Herman Hulst mentioned that the company still has faith in the model despite recent setbacks like Concord.

“The gaming industry is in constant flux due to numerous elements, including technological advancements, emerging genres, and new methods of play,” Hulst said via automated translation. “Nonetheless, one element that remains unchanged is the public’s appetite for exceptional entertainment experiences, and interest in games continues to intensify. However, this has also led to increased competition, and like many companies in the sector, we have needed to adapt our operations to establish a more stable foundation.”

Hulst further stated that PlayStation will “persist in concentrating on the development of live service titles alongside the narrative-driven single-player experiences that our audience desires.”

Regarding the ongoing commitment to live service games, Hulst cited the achievements of Helldivers 2 as a notable example. The cooperative title from Arrowhead Game Studios demonstrated how a live service game can thrive in today’s landscape, which has garnered the attention of both Sony and PlayStation.

“We are gaining invaluable insights as we cultivate the capacity to create high-quality live service titles within SIE,” he expressed. “Helldivers 2 drew in a significant player base through ongoing content updates and achieved outcomes that validate the potential of live service titles.”

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