Of the major video game publishers actively developing new systems and titles, PlayStation is one of the oldest and recognizable faces in the gaming community. Following the release of the PS1 back in December of 1994, PlayStation has evolved into a powerhouse responsible for some of the most beloved video game franchises of all time. Though, the publisher's most recent studio acquisition has some fans questioning the direction of PlayStation going forward.
Earlier this week, PlayStation bought Jade Raymond's Haven Studio and announced that a live-service game is being developed exclusively for the PS5. Live-service games have become increasingly popular within the last couple of years, due to how much longevity they can often possess. While many fans were concerned that the development of this kind of game could mean the end of PlayStation's single player games, the head of PlayStation Studios recently addressed these concerns.
In a recent interview with gamesindustry.biz, both Jade Raymond and Hermen Hulst, the head of PlayStation Studios, discussed the recent purchase of Haven Studio. During the interview, Hulst mentioned that the development of the live-service game won't go against any ongoing single-player franchises like Ghost of Tsushima or Horizon Zero Dawn. Though, Hulst also reinforced Sony's excitement for the development of live-service projects as well.
For many PlayStation fans, this should come as a relief. While competitive multiplayer and battle royale games tend to pull in a large amount of new players in this day and age, Sony's single-player franchises have managed to maintain a massive audience. Especially some of the more longstanding franchises like God of War or Ratchet and Clank.
Despite some worries from longtime fans, it's fascinating to see PlayStation pursue such a different type of gaming content. Then again, in some ways, it's not that surprising, given the amount of success that titles like Apex Legends and Fortnite have garnered over the years. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what this new PS5 live-service game from Haven Studios will ultimately look like.
In any case, it's amazing to see how far PlayStation has come over the last decade. Following the launch of the PS5, many members of the gaming community have begun to flock to PlayStation as a result of the various exclusives. With any luck, new series like Ghost of Tsushima and Marvel's Spider-Man will continue to provide a steady presence on PS5, alongside this upcoming live-service game developed by Haven Studios.
Source: Gamesindustry.biz