During a recent investor discussion, PlayStation leadership shared insights into their strategic direction. Sony Interactive Entertainment’s CEO Hideaki Nishino outlined plans for future growth, while Hermen Hulst, leading the Studio Business Group, emphasized refining PlayStation’s live-service approach. Despite setbacks like Concord, which struggled to differentiate itself in a crowded market, Hulst highlighted Helldivers 2 as a model for success. Moving forward, the company aims to apply lessons learned to upcoming projects like Marathon, ensuring stronger market positioning and player engagement.
Our dedication to live-service offerings remains unwavering. Titles such as MLB The Show, Destiny 2, and Helldivers 2 exemplify the diverse, community-driven experiences we aim to cultivate. These games have forged lasting connections with players across multiple genres, laying a solid groundwork for expanding this portfolio. Helldivers 2’s performance—where in-game purchases now drive over half its revenue—demonstrates the potential of well-executed live services. Marathon’s upcoming release is another milestone, representing Bungie’s first original project in years. Rigorous testing and iterative feedback loops are central to our strategy, ensuring we launch titles poised for longevity.
Live-service development presents both opportunity and complexity. While Concord’s launch taught us valuable lessons about differentiation in saturated markets, we’ve strengthened our validation processes to better assess creative and commercial viability. For Marathon, we’re committed to delivering a fresh, innovative experience in the extraction-shooter space. Closed Alpha testing has provided critical insights, and we’re leveraging these learnings to refine the game pre-launch. Continuous iteration, even post-release, will be key to sustaining player interest and maximizing impact.
The reimagined Marathon, a multiplayer-focused reboot of Bungie’s classic franchise, is slated for a September 23 release across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The studio’s emphasis on player feedback and iterative design aims to position the title as a standout in its genre.