- Fairgames’ closed pre-alpha has disappointed the small number of playtesters because it is super clunky.
- It was described as a blend of battle royale and extraction shooter, with gameplay elements matching Fortnite and The Division.
- Some developers have already expressed concerns about the project’s current state.
Despite some wins, Sony’s foray into the live-service genre is turning out to be an utter disaster. Many of the projects flopped or were canned mid-development, while the rest—like Marathon and now Fairgames—are struggling to live up to expectations.
More details about the competitive heist experience, Fairgames, have come out after the first introduction in 2023. A very limited and closed pre-alpha, Project Hearts, was tested by a select few users, and their feedback certainly does not paint a good picture.
Why it matters: After many controversies haunting PlayStation’s live-service roster, Fairgames might be the next polemical project on the list. The game has so far failed to generate the hype that was expected.
As confirmed by the paywalled podcast Sacred Symbols, Fairgames is a blend of Fortnite and The Division games. However, the gameplay loop feels ‘super clunky’ and apparently fails to scratch the itch that the CGI reveal would have you believe.
It is a ‘Battle Royale crossed with an extraction shooter.’
-A playtester.
Fairgames features multiple teams in urban settings, where players steal from the vaults of rich folks while others attempt to do the same. This Robin Hood-themed extraction shooter gameplay sounds oddly familiar to many other extraction shooters out there.
The game is far from ready in its current state, a sentiment also reflected by a few developers when studio founder Jade Raymond recently quit Haven Studios.
For those not in the know, Fairgames was initially set to launch later this year but was delayed to 2026 to get more development and polishing time. Given all these developments, it is best to be cautiously optimistic until Sony reveals the actual gameplay in the future.
Do you think Fairgames will fail to meet the expectations of players like many other live-service offerings across the gaming industry, or is it too early to tell? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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