Fairgame$: (Another) Tone-Deaf GaaS Misstep That Could Be Sony's Next "Concord"
Sony announced a game called "Fairgame$," developed by Haven Studios, promising a "fresh, modern take on the heist genre." While the game's creative director, Mathieu Leduc, is enthusiastic about this new IP, claiming it offers a "thrilling competitive heist experience" and a "window into different subcultures of society..." it seems like (yet) another misguided attempt by Sony to jump into the Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) market, much like that previous flop, "Concord."
Not to mention the Antifa-like attributes are... Curious...
Fairgame$: A Heist Game with a Tone-Deaf Narrative
Fairgame$ has been marketed as a game where players join an underground movement to rob the ultra-rich, aiming to "rebalance the scales" in a modern-day RobinHood style.
But come on... using that ol' narrative quickly feels worn out and tone-deaf. This whole "eat the rich" thing has been overplayed, especially coming from a corporation like Sony, which, like any other big business, aims to make as much money as possible.
The game’s comparison to Robin Hood falls flat... Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor, not to enrich himself. In Fairgame$, the player’s goal seems to be personal enrichment—filling your pockets like a kid in a candy store. There's a fundamental contradiction in the game's premise that makes it feel more like a disingenuous cash grab than a meaningful commentary on wealth inequality.
If we're going to talk about fairness and wealth, let’s be clear: there are many billionaires who have amassed their fortunes in far more honorable ways than a GaaS model rife with microtransactions. And let’s not ignore the heavy irony: the game is designed to generate revenue using the very same tactics they pretend to criticize.
Trying Too Hard to Be "Hip" and Failing Spectacularly
One of the most glaring issues with Fairgame$ is its attempt to appeal to a Gen-Z audience by employing a "cool" and "edgy" aesthetic. The game's trailer is filled with characters sporting exaggerated, trendy hairstyles and flashy outfits, clearly aiming for a younger crowd.
However, judging by the overwhelmingly negative reception on platforms like YouTube, it seems this strategy is not just me... It isn't seemingly resonating with anyone.
The problem here is that these superficial efforts to appear "hip" feel incredibly forced and pandering. Instead of creating something genuinely fresh and exciting, Fairgame$ looks to just be a desperate attempt to chase trends, resulting in a game that feels outdated before it even launches. Sony’s audience, particularly those who have been loyal to their more grounded and gritty franchises, are unlikely to buy into this overdone, superficial aesthetic.
A Generic Aesthetic in a Sea of Same-Old GaaS Titles
Speaking of aesthetics, Fairgame$ employs a colorful, cartoony art style that has been done to death in recent years. It's the same old formula we've seen in countless other GaaS titles trying to emulate Fortnite's success. But Sony's fanbase has repeatedly expressed a preference for a more grounded, realistic experience—titles like Killzone, Resistance, or SOCOM. When it comes to GaaS, Sony fans are crying out for gritty, mature games, not more cartoonish clones.
It seems baffling that Sony has decided to ignore this clear demand from their core audience and instead force-feed them another flashy, surface-level game. Sony fans have made it clear time and time again that they prefer games with more depth and substance. Yet, here we are with Fairgame$, a title that seems more focused on being a style-over-substance distraction.
Misreading Their Audience: A Repeat of Concord’s Mistake
Sony's biggest problem here is making the same mistake with Fairgame$ as they did with Concord—basically making a PayDay clone and pushing it as a GaaS model onto an audience that primarily enjoys single-player experiences. Sony's fanbase has always gravitated toward narrative-driven, single-player adventures like The Last of Us, Uncharted, and God of War. Instead of gradually introducing a GaaS model by adding multiplayer components to these beloved franchises, Sony is forcing its fanbase into games that don’t align with their preferences... They see the money being made elsewhere and they so desperately want a piece of that pie.
The success of GTA Online is a perfect example of how to do it right: people bought GTA V for its stellar single-player experience and stayed for the online mode. Sony could have easily taken a similar approach with The Last of Us Part II: Factions, a much-anticipated multiplayer mode that has been delayed indefinitely and will likely end up canceled. Instead, Sony seems insistent on pushing a narrative that their core fanbase has shown little interest in—a flashy, cartoony GaaS with a cringeworthy anti-capitalist narrative.
What's next, a game titled "Fight the Patriarchy"?
I kid... but...
Fairgame$ Just Feels Like Concord 2.0
Fairgame$ is shaping up to be another disaster for Sony, much like Concord. The game's worn-out narrative, forced aesthetics, and tone-deaf approach make it hard to see it becoming anything other than a flop.
Sony seems determined to push its fanbase toward a GaaS future they never asked for, ignoring the fact that their most loyal players prefer the single-player, story-rich experiences that have defined the PlayStation brand... They are too tempted by the money and seeing the success of other companies is pushing them to a place of failure.
If Sony doesn’t change course and start listening to its audience, it will continue to churn out games that nobody wants, driving more players away. Like Concord, Fairgame$ may not even make it out of the gate before it joins the growing list of failed GaaS titles, leaving many wondering why Sony is so intent on repeating its mistakes...
~Smash
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