PlayStation's ambitious online heist game, originally announced as Fairgames, appears to be undergoing a revival under the codename Project Espresso. The title has re-emerged with new gameplay footage and an invitation to a private playtest, according to recent reports.
Fairgames, a competitive heist-focused shooter, was first revealed by PlayStation three years ago. However, the project reportedly faced significant development hurdles, including the departures of studio founder Jade Raymond and creative director Daniel Drapeau. These issues arose after internal playtests yielded negative feedback. Since its initial announcement, the game has received little official acknowledgment from PlayStation.
The game's reappearance was noted via a listing on Player.gg, a platform that facilitates developer-player connections for playtesting. While operating under a codename with the developer identity concealed, the listing features a substantial gameplay trailer. This trailer showcases an art style and concept strikingly similar to the original Fairgames. A disclaimer indicates the game is in development for both PlayStation 5 and PC. The requirement for a PlayStation account to access the game further suggests a connection to Sony's ecosystem, as would be atypical for a purely third-party title.
Earlier this year, PlayStation filed a trademark for "Break In," a name that fueled speculation that it might be the new title for Fairgames. IGN has contacted PlayStation for comment on the situation.
The history of PlayStation's live-service initiatives casts a shadow over Fairgames' potential success. Concord, another major live-service title from the company, reportedly underperformed significantly. Furthermore, titles like Marathon have not generated widespread enthusiasm, The Last of Us Online was canceled, and Destiny 2 is reportedly no longer receiving support. There is also a general trend of player skepticism towards live-service games. Outside of PlayStation's direct offerings, Highguard, a similarly ambitious live-service game, was discontinued shortly after its launch.
Whether Fairgames, under its new codename or eventual final title, can overcome these challenges and capture player interest remains uncertain. This development occurs during a turbulent period for PlayStation, which recently saw Hideo Kojima part ways with the company after plans to cancel his next-gen game, Physint, were reportedly overturned by Xbox. Kojima is also collaborating with Xbox on a new horror game titled OD.
PlayStation has also faced player criticism for its decisions regarding the phasing out of physical media support by 2028, the closure of Bluepoint Games, and the cessation of support for single-player games on PC. Another underperforming live-service game could represent a significant public relations setback for the company, making the insights gained from these private playtests crucial for shaping the game into a more appealing product for a broad audience.