Sony is making a big push into live service games – titles designed to be played and updated continuously over time – for both PlayStation 5 and PC. One of these anticipated projects is Fairgames, developed by Haven Studios. While official details have been kept somewhat under wraps, new information about the game’s early testing phase has recently surfaced, and it comes with some potentially worrying feedback.
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Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve learned and why it matters for this upcoming title.
What is Fairgames?
First announced alongside other Sony live service efforts, Fairgames (originally called Fairgame$) is being developed by Haven Studios. This studio was founded by industry veteran Jade Raymond, known for her early work on major franchises like Assassin’s Creed. The game’s initial trailer hinted at a modern-day Robin Hood theme, featuring stylish characters who steal from the wealthy.
Genre Mix: Battle Royale Meets Extraction Shooter
According to reports from those who have experienced early versions of the game, Fairgames blends elements from popular genres. It’s described as a “Battle Royale crossed with an extraction shooter.”
Think of it this way:
- Battle Royale: Like games such as Fortnite, you’re dropped into a map with other players.
- Extraction Shooter: Like games such as Escape from Tarkov or even Bungie’s upcoming Marathon (another Sony-backed title), the goal isn’t just to be the last one standing. Instead, teams drop into a large urban environment with specific objectives – in this case, stealing from high-security vaults. You compete with other teams trying to do the same, and crucially, you need to successfully extract with your loot.
This creates a high-stakes scenario where survival, strategy, and getting out with valuable goods are key.
Stylish characters in an urban setting from Sony's upcoming Fairgames PS5 PC shooter game
An Early Peek: The ‘Project Hearts’ Test
Recent details, shared on the PlayStation-focused podcast Sacred Symbols, reveal that a pre-alpha version of Fairgames was distributed through PSN under the codename “Project Hearts.” This allowed a small group of testers to get hands-on with the game in its very early stages.
The Concern: ‘Super Clunky’ Gameplay
The most significant piece of information coming from these early tests is the feedback on how the game actually feels to play. According to one participant, the current state of Fairgames is “super clunky” and “doesn’t feel good.”
This kind of feedback on core gameplay mechanics is concerning, especially for a live service game that needs to feel smooth and engaging from the start to keep players coming back. It also aligns with recent reports, including one from Bloomberg, that mentioned issues with the game’s development during coverage of Jade Raymond’s recent departure from Haven Studios. The overall sentiment from early testers reportedly “has not been good.”
What Happens Now?
Sony has publicly stated that they remain committed to Haven Studios and the development of Fairgames, even under new leadership following Raymond’s exit. Haven Studios was founded four years ago and acquired by Sony over two years ago, meaning the game has been in development for a significant amount of time.
While it’s important to remember that this feedback comes from a very early pre-alpha version, and games can change drastically during development, the “super clunky” description highlights the significant work that may still be needed to polish Fairgames into the compelling live service title Sony hopes it will be. The success of games like this hinges on smooth, fun moment-to-moment gameplay, and that seems to be the main hurdle Haven Studios needs to overcome based on this early feedback.
