Jade Raymond has long been a trailblazer in the video game industry. As the founder of Haven Studios and a key figure behind franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, she has left a lasting mark on game development. Recently, her unexpected departure from Haven Studios has become a major industry headline. Let’s explore her legacy and what this change could mean for PlayStation's ambitious plans.
Jade Raymond has built a stellar reputation during her nearly 25 years in the business. Early in her career, she contributed as an executive producer and creative mind at companies such as Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Sony. Her work on iconic titles, such as Assassin’s Creed and Star Wars: Battlefront II, made her a role model for aspiring developers.
In 2021, Jade Raymond founded Haven Studios in Montreal with a dream to foster creativity and innovation. Under her leadership, the team set out to develop new IPs designed around collaborative play and live service models. With Sony acquiring Haven Studios in 2022, expectations for their debut project—Fairgame$—soared. The studio positioned itself at the forefront of PlayStation’s push into live service multiplayer experiences.
In May 2025, news broke that Jade Raymond had left Haven Studios without a public explanation. This move surprised many, as Raymond was seen as the driving force behind Haven’s vision and culture. According to Insider Gaming’s report, PlayStation acknowledged her leadership, expressing gratitude for her contributions and wishing her success in her next venture. No specific reasons were provided for her exit, leaving the industry speculating on what prompted the change.
External reports suggest that concerns around the development of Fairgame$, the studio’s anticipated heist shooter, may have played a role. Some team members reportedly felt uneasy about the game’s progress. Kotaku shared that Fairgame$ has been delayed, moving its expected release to 2026 after internal testing prompted a reassessment of the project’s scope and direction.
Despite Jade Raymond's departure, PlayStation and Haven Studios remain committed to finishing Fairgame$. New co-studio heads have stepped in to lead the way. Sony has faced other setbacks with its live service strategy recently, including delays and cancellations of several projects. Yet, Raymond’s influence and foundational leadership have set a high bar for quality and innovation at Haven Studios. Only time will tell how the studio evolves without her.
If you want to dig deeper into industry perspectives, the full Bloomberg coverage offers additional context around the transition.
Jade Raymond's extraordinary career has shaped some of gaming’s most beloved properties. Her journey—from Ubisoft to founding Haven Studios—demonstrates the impact of visionary leadership. While her next steps remain a mystery, her departure is sure to influence both Haven Studios and the broader PlayStation landscape for years to come. Stay tuned for updates as the story develops and as Haven Studios works to deliver on its original promise.