Development veteran Jade Raymond has officially parted ways with Haven Studios, the Montreal-based company she co-founded in 2021. According to a report from Bloomberg, her departure comes at a pivotal moment as the studio prepares for an external beta of its inaugural project, Fairgames.
Raymond established Haven Studios following the tumultuous collapse of Google Stadia earlier that same year. The studio quickly garnered attention and was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2022. Despite her exit, the studio will continue its operations under the leadership of co-heads Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski.
Reflections on Leadership
A representative from PlayStation acknowledged Raymond’s significant contributions, stating, “Jade Raymond has been an incredible partner and visionary force in founding Haven Studios. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and contributions, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.” As of now, Raymond has not publicly addressed her departure.
Fairgames, which was unveiled in 2023, marks a strategic shift for PlayStation towards live-service projects. However, this pivot has not been without its challenges. Following the release of Concord, which was swiftly pulled from sale, Sony has faced considerable setbacks, including the cancellation of two additional live-service games. This trend indicates a growing caution within the company regarding larger, riskier projects.
