Sony's PlayStation 5 is still selling out as soon as it hits stores, though the console is still in the formative moments in terms of accruing an enviable library of games. This makes sense because the system is still less than a year old, and Sony themselves seem to be tackling the issue head-on by developing some new games.
One upcoming game will be a collaboration with Firewalk Studios to create an all-new gaming franchise with multiplayer in mind. Such a title would round out Sony's stable, given that they've become more known for cinematic single-player experiences in the past generation. Though a multiplayer-focused IP sounds like a surefire hit, there are a few good reasons why this could be a disastrous project for Sony to get behind.
Firewalk Studios and Destiny
Firewalk Studios has previously worked on several big-time gaming franchises that are well-regarded for their multiplayer elements, such as the Halo and Destiny franchises. On paper, this sounds like a recipe for success, especially given how much the former is associated with the rise of Sony's chief rival, the Microsoft Xbox line. Unfortunately, this track record is actually rather spotty once the layers are peeled back.
For one, the Halo franchise isn't what it used to be, either in the popularity or critical reception department. Even if a title were to recapture the magic of that series' early Xbox days, there's a lot more competition on the block compared to then. Likewise, Destiny was somewhat controversial not long after its initial release, with many of its storytelling elements and microtransactions criticized by even its fanbase. This only ratcheted up further with the release of its sequel, which many saw as having come far too soon. This sequel only doubled down on the first game's issues, which were made even more egregious given the title's tremendous hype. If the next multiplayer IP for Sony shares these abundant microtransactions and half-hearted single-player elements, it'll likely share the same, if not far worse, criticism.
First-Person Failures
Many multiplayer-focused shooting games are more popular ever, but this has only made the genre even more oversaturated. This could be seen as far back as 2016, where Battleborn was quickly overtaken by Overwatch and subsequently forgotten, with its servers officially shutting down this year.
However, perhaps the most egregious example of this is 2019's Anthem, which was set up to be an absolute monster in popularity. For a variety of reasons, however, Anthem was barely a blip on the radar mere months after its release, failing to catch on amid the already well-entrenched shooting game fanbases. This shows how well-worn the genre of multiplayer-based games had become, as no one was really willing to give any newcomers a chance, let alone one with such problematic gameplay elements.
Multiplayer Is Not Enough
Another recurring issue with games like Destiny and Anthem is the lack of world-building incentive to care about the games. While games like Call of Duty and Halo are definitely more well-known for their multiplayer than their single-player campaigns, they still have other gameplay options that round things out and give gamers a reason to care about the titles' universe.
Recent multiplayer-only titles are fairly one-note in terms of gameplay, lacking any real diversity in mechanics to keep players from quickly becoming bored. This is especially the case when the base gameplay is a much less refined version of a much better and more popular pre-existing title. The admission that the new game is such a multiplayer-focused one probably doesn't interest gamers who were previously burned by Anthem and other would-be hits. In fact, Overwatch may be the only real success story in this league, which goes to show how hard it actually is to make it work. Part of that success was a cast of colorful, imaginative and recognizable characters, something which most other copycats completely fail at reproducing.
It's good that Sony wants to be known for more than just single-player story-based experiences, but jumping into this particular pool might be starting with one foot in the ground. A better idea would be to diversify said single-player options to include adventure titles like Uncharted and Spider-Man, action RPGs like Horizon and the recently revitalized genre of turn-based JRPGs. Exciting multiplayer modes should definitely be a factor in these games where they fit, but building a new IP around multiplayer has proven to be a less than successful strategy.