Former Sony executive Shawn Layden has recently expressed concerns about the video game industry's growing emphasis on live service titles. While major gaming companies often view games like Fortnite as lucrative opportunities, Layden's experience at Sony led him to believe that chasing these massive hits can be like pursuing an illusion.

Shawn Layden served as chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios from 2014 to 2019. During his tenure, he supervised the development of critically acclaimed PlayStation exclusive single-player games including God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Ghost of Tsushima.

In a recent interview with The Ringer, Layden drew from his industry experience to critique companies' pursuit of live service game success. He described the shift toward live service models as a "siren's call," comparing it to seeing a "mirage on top of a sand dune. You pursue it. You can't quite get there." According to Layden, Fortnite represented a rare phenomenon of "catching lightning in a jar" - an achievement that cannot be systematically planned or replicated through development strategy alone. He expressed skepticism about the live service genre itself, describing it as "not really a game" but rather a "repetitive action engagement device."

Layden's perspective becomes particularly relevant when examining Sony's recent mixed results in the gaming market. While single-player titles like The Last of Us 2 and God of War: Ragnarok achieved remarkable success, the live service shooter Concord proved to be a significant failure, shutting down operations within just two weeks of launch.

Following Concord's disappointing performance, Sony appears to be reevaluating its live service strategy. Earlier this year, the company canceled two planned live service projects - a third-person open-world military shooter from Bluepoint Games and a God of War multiplayer title from Bend Studios. Meanwhile, Bungie's anticipated Marathon has been delayed for additional development time.

Despite these challenges, not all live service ventures have failed. Helldivers 2, developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, has achieved impressive success with over 19 million copies sold and maintains strong player engagement. However, Arrowhead's established expertise in the live service genre contrasts with many other developers' experiences. The gaming industry continues to debate whether major companies should persist with new live service initiatives or heed Layden's advice to prioritize single-player experiences.