Sony’s live-service strategy has become more selective after major setbacks and canceled projects, making every update on its remaining multiplayer games significant. Newly circulated footage now appears to show Fairgames, Haven Studios’ competitive heist title, being tested under the codename Project Espresso.
A Long-Quiet PlayStation Project Resurfaces
Fairgames was announced at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase as Haven Studios’ debut game. The Montreal-based studio, founded by Jade Raymond in 2021 and acquired by Sony the following year, described the project as a player-versus-player experience built around high-risk robberies.
Players are expected to work in crews, break into restricted locations, take valuable cargo from wealthy targets, and escape before opposing teams can interfere. The game is planned for PlayStation 5 and PC, but Sony has not announced a firm release date, leaving the project largely absent from the public conversation for more than three years.
Why Project Espresso Is Being Linked to Fairgames
The footage comes from a Player.gg test for Project Espresso, which is officially described as a third-person PvPvE heist game. The playtest itself is restricted, but several people who say they were invited have identified the unannounced competitive shooter as Fairgames. Clips shared on social media also appear to be connected to promotion for the same test.
The connection goes beyond the basic premise. An April 2026 Insider Gaming report claimed that Haven had run a Fairgames pre-alpha under the Espresso codename. Project Espresso’s description also references infiltrating secure sites, stealing cargo, and escaping from rival crews, closely matching Haven’s original pitch. The listed platforms—PS5 and PC—provide another link.
Some alleged testers have said that a PlayStation account is required, although that claim has not been independently verified. As of September 11, 2026, enrollment appeared to require only a Steam account.
The Test May Show a Different Direction
The newly surfaced material may not resemble the Fairgames most players remember from its announcement. The original teaser used Watch Dogs-like visual cues and cyberpunk elements, while descriptions of the September 2026 test portray a more conventional heist setting.
That difference could indicate a shift in Haven’s creative direction, but it could also mean the test build is intentionally withholding much of the game’s setting and story. The footage confirms that the project was still being actively tested, not that it represents the final version or that a launch is imminent.
Fairgames is one of the surviving titles from Sony’s broader live-service push, which has produced Helldivers 2 but also faced the failure of Concord and multiple cancellations. The company’s reduced commitment to that strategy makes Haven’s continued testing notable, though the project’s eventual release remains unconfirmed.
Key points
- Footage from a restricted Project Espresso test appears to show Fairgames.
- Haven Studios’ game is a competitive heist title planned for PS5 and PC.
- The test’s setting may be more conventional than the original cyberpunk-leaning teaser.
- Sony has not provided a release date, and the footage does not confirm launch plans.
What the available information shows
| Item | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Fairgames | Haven Studios’ competitive heist game announced in 2023 |
| Project Espresso | A third-person PvPvE heist game listed on Player.gg |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5 and PC |
| Release status | No concrete release date announced |
Expert View
The footage is most useful as evidence of continued development rather than as a launch announcement. For the competitive gaming community, the key question is whether Haven can turn its crew-based heist concept into a sustainable PvPvE game with enough depth to support long-term play. Until Sony confirms the project’s identity, design direction, and release plans, the material should be treated as a snapshot of an active test—not a final preview.

