Unreleased details have emerged about PlayStation’s canceled live-service game centered on the Twisted Metal franchise. A developer has revealed that Sony shut down Firesprite Studios’ project over a year ago.

In recent years, Sony has clung to a gaming model that is notoriously difficult to succeed in. PlayStation has been pushing the live-service model for several years, and while the success of Helldivers 2 has reinforced this strategy, the failures have been just as notable. Concord, for instance, led to the closure of Firewalk Studios, dozens of layoffs, and millions of dollars in losses. The risk is enormous, but for those who get it right, the rewards can be just as massive.

A Canceled Twisted Metal Battle Royale?

More details have now surfaced about another scrapped project: a reboot of the iconic Twisted Metal franchise. This game was canceled in early 2024 following layoffs across multiple PlayStation studios. At the time, there was little information about what this live-service Twisted Metal game would have been like, but a Firesprite developer has now shed light on the project. It was reportedly a third-person shooter with vehicular combat mechanics.

The developer also confirmed that the game’s main mode was designed as a battle royale. Codenamed Project Cooper, it was being developed in Unreal Engine 5, with Sony’s original plan being to release it alongside the Twisted Metal TV series, according to VGC reports. That plan ultimately fell apart, and the reboot never came to fruition—though the TV series is now available to stream in Spain via AXN.

Other Canceled Sony Live-Service Titles

Sony’s most significant setback in this area was the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, a project that drained millions of dollars and years of development time. Additionally, reports emerged a few months ago confirming that two major PlayStation studios were working on two now-canceled live-service titles—one of which was set in the God of War universe. Bend Studios (Days Gone) and Bluepoint Games (Demon’s Souls) spent years developing projects that will never see the light of day.

Source: 3djuegos