Overview

• Hulst told the Financial Times that PlayStation has instituted more rigorous and more frequent testing, with greater emphasis on group playtests and executive play involvement to spot issues earlier.
• The company is de-emphasizing a numeric release target in favor of delivering diverse player experiences and nurturing communities around new concepts that can become transmedia franchises.
• Sony leaders, including Hiroki Totoki and Sadahiko Hayakawa, say development gates will be moved earlier and lessons will be shared across studios to improve management and reduce the impact of cancellations.
• Concord’s collapse remains the catalyst for these changes, with the game pulled about two weeks after launch, refunds offered to buyers, and Firewalk Studios subsequently closed; its development was reportedly eight years at roughly $400 million.
• Several live-service projects have been delayed or canceled compared with earlier goals reported for 2025–26, and Bungie’s Marathon remains under heightened scrutiny following its recent delay.