Fairgame$ - Monetization and Success Predictions

[Shmunter]

We are at a pivotal moment in the industry. With the historic failure of Concord and major live service contenders like Xdefiant facing challenges, skyrocketing development costs, and widespread industry layoffs, the sector has never been more fragile.

Fairgame$ appears to be Sony’s next major Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) release. Despite being filled with modern audience hooks and derivative heist gameplay, the initial trailer received a negative reception. A year later, the trailer on Sony’s own channel has only garnered 245k views. In comparison, the Astrobot announcement trailer, released just three months ago, has 1.8 million views. This indicates significant trouble for the title, potentially mirroring the fate of Concord.


What are your thoughts on the release structure?

• Will it be released or canned? - Games like Hyenas, very similar aesthetic and target did get cancelled towards the end.
• $40 - $ 70
• PS+
• F2P

What concurrent numbers will it achieve on :

• Beta
• Final release

Here is the trailer for a refresher :

Have at you!

 

[Yobo]

This looks oked even worse than Concord

It's in big trouble unless they take it back to the drawing board

 

[Danja]

It will be a $40 game and it will probably flop, but if they manage to get it right they can also carve out a nice audience especially since Payday 3 was such a failure and that genre is kinda up for the taking now.

 

[peter42O]

Will wait on the gameplay and combat loops before prediction the player counts and whatnot but in regards to how Sony will sell Fairgames, after Concord, I would be shocked if it's not a free to play game OR included in PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium but not available for sale. If it was up to me, I would go with day one in PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium. It's a co-op/multi-player game so PlayStation Plus would be required where as with free to play, it's not required. I would not sell the game at all because you have GTA with Heists and you have all three Payday games still up and running if I remember correctly.

The competition is far less for Fairgames than it is for Concord but you want to give it the best chance at success as possible. If the game has micro-transactions for cosmetics and stuff like that, then the PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium route would be the best decision in my opinion. This would increase subscriptions, possibly get people who are in Standard to upgrade to Deluxe/Premium and for those who are already in those tiers, possibly be interested enough to give the game a chance. The micro-transaction will make the game revenue on the back end.

We'll see what Sony does but if they go the $40 route, Fairgames better fucking do something unique, original and innovative as well as having one hell of a gameplay loop/hook.

 

[Danja]

Fuck F2P games, give us them $40 multiplayer games.

 

[Zzero]

Prediction: Releases at 40 dollars after a free "beta" that is actually an advertisement. I can't give numbers but think Concord goes F2P early next year and FS in 2026.

 

[Sircaw]

We are at a pivotal moment in the industry. With the historic failure of Concord and major live service contenders like Xdefiant facing challenges, skyrocketing development costs, and widespread industry layoffs, the sector has never been more fragile.

Fairgame$ appears to be Sony’s next major Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) release. Despite being filled with modern audience hooks and derivative heist gameplay, the initial trailer received a negative reception. A year later, the trailer on Sony’s own channel has only garnered 245k views. In comparison, the Astrobot announcement trailer, released just three months ago, has 1.8 million views. This indicates significant trouble for the title, potentially mirroring the fate of Concord.


What are your thoughts on the release structure?

• Will it be released or canned? - Games like Hyenas, very similar aesthetic and target did get cancelled towards the end.
• $40 - $ 70
• PS+
• F2P

What concurrent numbers will it achieve on :

• Beta
• Final release

Here is the trailer for a refresher :

Have at you!

The music itself makes me want to blow my brains out!

 

[Shmunter]

The music itself makes me want to blow my brains out!

Don't look at the new Gladiator II trailer. No idea wtf they are thinking.

 

[Sircaw]

Don't look at the new Gladiator II trailer. No idea wtf they are thinking.

i saw that too, fs.

 

[CrackmanNL]

Things that has it going for it compared to Concord
- Not in an oversaturated genre (Heist).
- They have been upfront and honest what it is from the start
- Design not as horrendous like Concord from trailer but obviously targeting younger gen.

What can it learn from Concord:
-Not reveal it with a vague cinematic like it's a SP title (wait nvm..)
-Put pronouns (make it a target for hate mobs)
-Let players create their own characters (eliminates a lot of bs)
-Have it's own distinct identity

Depending on who you ask Ubisoft style = good or bad, but that has an audience.
Will it get canned: no, they acquired Haven for their utility and dev tools that can benefit the entire roster, the game is probably a test/result out of that and fills in a checkbox of shooter genre in the live-service offering.

For MP Sony lost the positive momentum of Helldivers 2, so it's an uphill battle regardless with content creators and media alike. They are probably circling like hyenas at it so don't give them a reason to, a lot will depend on how impressive the gameplay reveal will be.
I will say, the Beta probably not a smart idea cause its a double edged sword.

Concurrent numbers? Hard to tell either The Division 1 numbers or Division 2 (at least better than Concord lol).
Release structure: 40, PS+ when GTA6 Online comes near, f2p a year after on all platforms.
I have noticed Hermen doesn't show up for live-service reveals so curious if he will for this one with Jade Raymond on it or he thinks fck that I keep my association on stuff like Physint.

 

[BillyZ]

Fairgame$ was revealed in the same showcase as Concord and the reception was even worse. Unless they got their heads out of their asses and started rebranding this game months ago it's likely that Sony has another flop coming.

 

[Yurinka]

We are at a pivotal moment in the industry. With the historic failure of Concord and major live service contenders like Xdefiant facing challenges, skyrocketing development costs, and widespread industry layoffs, the sector has never been more fragile.

Fairgame$ appears to be Sony’s next major Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) release. Despite being filled with modern audience hooks and derivative heist gameplay, the initial trailer received a negative reception. A year later, the trailer on Sony’s own channel has only garnered 245k views. In comparison, the Astrobot announcement trailer, released just three months ago, has 1.8 million views. This indicates significant trouble for the title, potentially mirroring the fate of Concord.


What are your thoughts on the release structure?

• Will it be released or canned? - Games like Hyenas, very similar aesthetic and target did get cancelled towards the end.
• $40 - $ 70
• PS+
• F2P

What concurrent numbers will it achieve on :

• Beta
• Final release

Here is the trailer for a refresher :

Have at you!

I think it's really stupid to think that because a handful games of the most played and top grossing business model we should assume other games of that business models will tank too.

It would be almost as stupid as to think that since several recent games of a less played business model that generates less revenue (case of non-GaaS single player games) underperformed, then that meanst that some other random future game of that business model, which still hasn't shown anything other than a teaser, will be a failure too. Or that it will be cancelled.

It is a dumb generalization that should go to the "Sony is doomed" thread.

 

[Yurinka]

What are your thoughts on the release structure?

• Will it be released or canned? - Games like Hyenas, very similar aesthetic and target did get cancelled towards the end.
• $40 - $ 70
• PS+
• F2P

Will GTA6, the next CoD and the next 3D Mario will be released or canned?

Will they cost $40-70, will be included at launch in PS+ or will be F2P?

What concurrent numbers will it achieve on :

• Beta
• Final release

My crystall ball worked pretty well before, but failed hard with the releases of Helldivers 2 and Concord and now is broken.

 

[Shmunter]

I think it's really stupid to think that because a handful games of the most played and top grossing business model we should assume other games of that business models will tank too.

It would be almost as stupid as to think that since several recent games of a less played business model that generates less revenue (case of non-GaaS single player games) underperformed, then that meanst that some other random future game of that business model, which still hasn't shown anything other than a teaser, will be a failure too. Or that it will be cancelled.

It is a dumb generalization that should go to the "Sony is doomed" thread.

It doesn't need to be doom and gloom. Why not reply with why you think it will be a success?

 

[Yurinka]

It doesn't need to be doom and gloom. Why not reply with why you think it will be a success?

The OP is just another periodical doom and gloom thread about a topic that has been spammed many times. You can go to check it in the 1209374027 other threads where we talked about it.

See if this sounds moronic or not:

-Flintlock tanked. Is the souls formula over and FromSoft is going to cancel Elden Ring 2, Bloodborne 2 or whatever they are working on? Are they doomed? Is their next game going to be F2P or included in PS+ day one?

-Dustborn tanked. Is Nintendo doomed? Since it's a non-GaaS single player game for PC and console, and many Nintendo games are non-GaaS single player games for console, is Nintendo doomed? Are they going to cancel their next mainline Mario and Zelda and move to F2P, maybe mobile only games, or to launch them day one on their sub?

 

[Shmunter]

The OP is just another periodical doom and gloom thread about a topic that has been spammed many times. You can go to check it in the 1209374027 other threads where we talked about it.

See if this sounds moronic or not:

-Flintlock tanked. Is the souls formula over and FromSoft is going to cancel Elden Ring 2, Bloodborne 2 or whatever they are working on? Are they doomed? Is their next game going to be F2P or included in PS+ day one?

-Dustborn tanked. Is Nintendo doomed? Since it's a non-GaaS single player game for PC and console, and many Nintendo games are non-GaaS single player games for console, is Nintendo doomed? Are they going to cancel their next mainline Mario and Zelda and move to F2P, maybe mobile only games, or to launch them day one on their sub?

Did you take a wrong turn into a discussion forum by any chance?

The echo chamber is the opposite way. Thank you for visiting.

 

[Neversummer]

If anything PS should releases there PS PC launcher before release & make future multiplayer games exclusive & make them F2P outside a few exceptions. That way there’s no remark on player count & rather whether the game is good or not. The toxic snowball that comes from public numbers is insane especially when it comes from a publisher like PS that’s a console focus publisher now diminishing there own platform so there’s even more reasons for PC players to gaslight failure of any scale.

PS should become more like Riot. Even Ubisoft who’s a 3rd party publisher & publish games literally everywhere makes there games exclusive to the Ubisoft launcher to take the 100% + games like Star Wars outlaw that are likely failures or have significant smaller launches on PC don’t get the highlighted nor is there a toxic snowball of players clowning the small engagement. Ubisoft has more focus on building there own platform & storefront then PS which is crazy to say.

 

[Neversummer]

This looks oked even worse than Concord

It's in big trouble unless they take it back to the drawing board

Nah. This looks significantly better.

FPS heist game w hero shooter or even customizable characters. The character are significantly more attractive especially the main character in the trailer w the dark skin she’s pretty.

The only bad thing about the fairgames is the trailer, the presentation give major concord vibes.

 

[Neversummer]

What are your thoughts on the release structure?

• Will it be released or canned? - Games like Hyenas, very similar aesthetic and target did get cancelled towards the end.
• $40 - $ 70
• PS+
• F2P

Giving this game is a pvp focus game it should be F2P if its announce that its $40 it will be like Concord & it will be doa straight from the jump people will dismiss Fairgames no matter how good the gameplay/game mode is.

Hyenas does not have the same esthetic as Fairgames. Hyenas is more inline w Borderlands where Fairgames is more inlined w PayDay or even Tom Clancy/WatchDog just from the looks of the trailer.

It will not get cancell but I can see a delay or a shadow drop closed beta at a showcase just to see feedback of the game without people dog pilling on the game as “Sony next live service failure” which is already being put on to Fairgames without even seeing or playing the game.

What concurrent numbers will it achieve on :

• Beta
• Final release

Ima say 50K if it’s F2P if it’s $40 less then 5K. No one is gonna jump ship from there favorite Free to play game to spend $40 on a new pvp focus game.

If I was Sony after Concord I would make all future live service exclusive to the PS PC launcher just to get away from the potential dog pilling people are doing to PS live service on YouTube w these toxic/negative headlines. Lead w Horizon online Free to play & Ghost Sushi live service component Free to play (both of these are supposed to be PVE games so they would be fine charging) but to penetrate the market making em Free will allow them to have higher chance of success + push the PS PC launcher. People aren’t going to skip over a Ghost Sushi multiplayer that’s Free even if it’s exclusive to the PS PC launcher same for Horizon online & Fairfames later on. PS needs to become more like Riot/Ubisoft in the PC space.

 

[Neversummer]

It will be a $40 game and it will probably flop, but if they manage to get it right they can also carve out a nice audience especially since Payday 3 was such a failure and that genre is kinda up for the taking now.

$40 for a PVP game from a new studio & new ip is suicide. Also the concept is kinda new or atleast not popular so people will be more allert on whether they should spend $40 on fairgames. Free to play is the best route. Free to play & exclusive to the PS PC launcher & not being on Steam where players can dog pile & snowball negative headlines would be even better even if it means capping the total potential saving yourself from grifters imo is worth the sacrifice. Aswell as ensuring this games doesn’t have any pronouns that would immediately put a target on the game & the studio & ensuring the character/heroes actually look attractive & heroic