Full Breakdown
PlayStation’s “Fairgames” Resurfaces Under Codename Project Espresso
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Private Playtest Reveals Project Espresso
A closed playtest for an extraction-shooter listed on the Player.gg platform is being run under the internal codename Project Espresso. The listing identifies the title as a rebranded version of Fairgames (stylized Fairgame$), a competitive heist game originally announced by PlayStation in 2023. The playtest page includes a sizable gameplay trailer that mirrors the art style and heist-focused mechanics first shown for Fairgames, and it notes that the title is in development for both PS5 and PC.
Background & Context: Development Turbulence and Possible Renaming
Fairgames was unveiled three years ago as PlayStation’s first-party live-service shooter. Since the announcement, the project has faced a series of setbacks:
- Leadership departures – Studio founder Jade Raymond left Haven Studios in 2025, and creative director Daniel Drapeau also exited amid internal concerns.
- Negative internal playtests – Staff reportedly voiced criticism after early playtest sessions, prompting a period of low public visibility.
- Trademark activity – Earlier this year, Sony filed a trademark for Break In, leading analysts to speculate that the working title may be changing. No official confirmation of a rename has been provided.
Haven Studios, the developer behind the project, was founded in 2021 and acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2022. The studio’s involvement situates the game firmly within Sony’s first-party pipeline, despite the lack of public updates.
Key Figures & Groups
- Haven Studios – Developer of the extraction shooter, subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
- Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) – Parent company overseeing the project; has not issued a comment on the playtest.
- Player.gg – Platform that hosts the closed playtest listing and enables player sign-ups.
Timeline
- 2023 – PlayStation announces Fairgames at a showcase event.
- 2025 – Founder Jade Raymond departs Haven Studios; internal concerns surface after early playtests.
- Early 2026 – Trademark for “Break In” filed; Player.gg listing for Project Espresso appears, offering a private playtest.
Official Statements & Responses
Sony Interactive Entertainment has not provided an official comment regarding the Project Espresso playtest or the potential rebranding of Fairgames.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact naming trajectory of the title:
- Project Espresso is confirmed as the codename for the current playtest (ixbt, IGN).
- Break In is cited as a possible future title based on trademark filings (IGN, Playday).
- The original name Fairgames (or Fairgame$) remains in use in several reports, reflecting the game’s public identity at launch.
No definitive announcement has clarified whether “Break In” will replace “Fairgames” or serve as a subtitle, leaving the final branding uncertain.
What’s Next
The Player.gg listing invites interested players to sign up for the ongoing closed playtest. No further release windows, beta phases, or public demos have been scheduled. Observers will be watching for any official updates from Sony Interactive Entertainment regarding the game’s final name, launch platform, or live-service model.
