Summary
- PlayStation's upcoming live-service title Fairgames may have been delayed to 2026, as per a reliable insider.
- Fairgames was revealed in 2023 as a PvP heist shooter, but developer Haven Studios never confirmed a release window for the game.
- The alleged 2026 delay could grant Haven Studios additional time to make changes to Fairgames that may help it avoid the same pitfalls Concord found itself in.
A reputable insider has indicated that the upcoming PlayStation live-service title Fairgames might have been delayed to 2026. While a release window was never officially confirmed for Fairgames, those looking forward to the competitive heist shooter on PS5 and PC may have to wait another year.
Fairgames was formally revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase as the debut project of first-party team Haven Studios. Helmed by Assassin's Creed veteran Jade Raymond, Fairgames is touted as a PvP heist shooter where players target and loot billionaires. The game's energetic CGI trailer exudes similar vibes to popular heist-centric games like The Finals, Payday, and Watch Dogs. However, the disastrous downfall of Concord last year incited concern surrounding Fairgames, with many worrying that the heist shooter could face a similar fate at launch.
Fairgames Can Look to One of Gaming’s Biggest Franchises For Inspiration
As a PlayStation live-service title, Fairgames probably has an uphill battle ahead of it, but it could look to a popular gaming franchise for help.
Some reports did allege that Sony is optimistic about Fairgames internally, but this isn't a very strong indicator of critical and commercial success, especially for a live-service game. Now, though, it seems Concord's failure may have dialed up the pressure on Haven Studios and impacted Fairgames' development. Credible industry insider Jeff Grubb claimed in a recent Game Mess podcast episode that Fairgames has slipped to 2026, seemingly suggesting that the live-service title was initially slated to launch in 2025.
Haven Studios Could Be Fettling Fairgames to Avoid Another Concord Situation
The purported delay might be an unfortunate consequence of Haven Studios possibly having to make major changes to Fairgames based on the negative feedback given to Concord. Granted, most key details about Fairgames, like its gameplay, progression system, monetization, etc. Haven't been revealed yet, so it's somewhat unfair to imply that Haven Studios would've had to alter the heist shooter significantly. On the other hand, the studio hasn't provided any updates on Fairgames in nearly two years, so it's difficult to clearly ascertain what's going on with the game behind the scenes. If Fairgames really has been delayed to 2026, it might get a second showing this year, perhaps with gameplay.
Rumors of a PlayStation Showcase in summer 2025 have begun bubbling, which could be a likely venue for a Fairgames gameplay trailer. It should be interesting to see what Fairgames actually looks and plays like, since it has one crucial advantage over Concord in that it's not targeting a highly-crowded live-service genre. Competitive heist shooters are few and far in between these days, and if Haven Studios can take its time and learn from Concord's mistakes, Fairgames may just have a real shot at success.
