Initially unveiled with stylish flair as Fairgame$, the now-renamed Fairgames was announced alongside Sony’s infamous live-service shooter Concord. Both games were positioned as major pillars in Sony’s ambitious push into the live-service market. However, the situation surrounding Fairgames appears increasingly shaky. Recently, reports confirmed that Jade Raymond, founder of developer Haven Studios and a former producer at Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed), has left the company—allegedly following internal criticism of the project’s direction.
Based on early impressions, Fairgames is described as a blend of battle royale and extraction shooter, drawing gameplay inspiration from titles like Fortnite and The Division. Players compete in squads of three or four within a sprawling urban environment, attempting to steal valuables from vaults while other teams pursue the same objective. The concept aims to deliver a modern “Robin Hood” fantasy—something hinted at in the game’s original reveal trailer. On paper, it sounds promising. In practice? Not so much. Early testers have described the game as super clunky, with gameplay that feels far from polished. The criticism echoes a recent Bloomberg report, which cited internal feedback that was similarly negative.
Sony has reiterated its support for Haven Studios under new leadership, but after four years since the studio’s founding- and over two years since its acquisition – serious questions remain: When will Fairgames actually be ready for prime time, and what shape will it be in when it arrives?
