PlayStation Acquires Haven Studios Led by Games Industry Veteran Jade Raymond

Key insights

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Studio Acquisition

Sony acquired Haven Studios in March 2022 to develop an original AAA multiplayer title.

The Montreal-based studio, founded by Jade Raymond, is tasked with creating a live-service game for the PlayStation 5.

Price Discrepancy

Digital games on the PlayStation Store are, on average, 47% more expensive than physical copies.

The overpayments have occurred since 2013.

It's like paying significantly more for a digital movie rental than for the DVD version of the same film.

47%

Average price difference: digital games vs. physical copies on PlayStation Store.

Estimated consumer overpayments since 2013: 435 million euros

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Summary

Sony’s strategic expansion of its internal development capabilities is highlighted by two distinct developments: the 2022 acquisition of Haven Studios and a 2026 legal challenge regarding its digital storefront practices. In March 2022, Sony acquired the Montreal-based Haven Studios, founded by industry veteran Jade Raymond. This move served as a key component of Sony’s broader initiative to launch 10 live service games by March 2026, with Haven Studios tasked with developing an original AAA multiplayer title featuring an evolving, persistent world.

The scope of Sony’s market influence has also drawn significant regulatory and consumer scrutiny. By August 2026, the Stop Killing Games initiative joined a class-action lawsuit originally filed by the Dutch consumer rights organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument. The plaintiffs allege that Sony engaged in anti-competitive behavior by artificially inflating prices within the PlayStation Store. Data cited in the lawsuit suggests that digital games in the Netherlands were priced, on average, 47% higher than their physical counterparts, resulting in an estimated 435 million euros in consumer overpayments since 2013.

The legal conflict centers on concerns regarding market monopolization, particularly as Sony prepares to phase out physical game discs by 2028. Activists argue that the transition to a digital-only ecosystem will eliminate consumer choice and solidify the PlayStation Store as an unchecked monopoly. The plaintiffs are currently seeking financial compensation for affected users and demanding the introduction of competitive alternatives to the PlayStation Store to ensure fair market pricing. These events collectively illustrate the tension between Sony’s aggressive pursuit of a live-service-driven digital ecosystem and the growing demand for consumer protection and market transparency.