The gaming industry was caught off guard when news broke that Fairgames director Daniel Drapeau had quietly left Haven Studios. Without any formal announcement or farewell message, Drapeau simply updated his LinkedIn profile to show his new role as Creative Director at WB Games Montreal in August 2025.
This departure is particularly significant because Drapeau wasn’t just any team member – he was one of the founding pillars of Haven Studios, joining the company from day one when it was established in 2021.
Who is Daniel Drapeau?
Daniel Drapeau brings serious gaming credentials to the table. Before his time at Haven Studios, he served as gameplay director for Shadow of the Tomb Raider and was the lead designer for the massively popular Rainbow Six Siege. His portfolio also includes work on other notable titles that helped shape modern gaming.
For nearly four and a half years, Drapeau poured his expertise into developing Fairgames, PlayStation’s ambitious multiplayer heist game. His sudden departure without fanfare has left many in the gaming community scratching their heads.
The Fairgames Director Departure Signals Trouble
Drapeau’s exit isn’t happening in isolation. Earlier this year, Jade Raymond – the studio’s co-founder and former head – also left Haven Studios. When key leadership starts jumping ship, it usually indicates deeper problems within a project.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Sony’s live service ambitions. Following the spectacular failure of Concord, which shut down just two weeks after launch, PlayStation’s multiplayer strategy is under intense scrutiny. Fairgames was originally slated for a late 2025 release, but industry insiders now suggest the timeline has shifted to sometime in 2026 – if it releases at all.
What This Means for Haven Studios
Haven Studios finds itself in a precarious position. The company has never released a finished game, making Fairgames their debut title. With both the studio head and game director now gone, the remaining team faces the monumental task of keeping the project alive.
Industry veteran Michael Pachter has even suggested that Fairgames might be cancelled entirely, though Sony hasn’t made any official statements about the game’s status. The silence from PlayStation’s camp speaks volumes about their confidence in the project.
The Broader Impact on PlayStation’s Live Service Strategy
Sony’s aggressive push into live service gaming has been rocky at best. The company acquired multiple studios specifically to develop multiplayer experiences, but results have been disappointing. Concord’s failure cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and now Fairgames appears to be following a similar troubled path.
The departure of experienced developers like Drapeau suggests that even seasoned professionals are losing faith in these projects. When a Fairgames director with his track record quietly exits, it raises questions about the entire strategy.
What’s Next for Daniel Drapeau?
Drapeau’s move to WB Games Montreal as Creative Director represents a fresh start. The studio has a solid reputation, having worked on titles like Gotham Knights and contributing to various DC-related projects. For Drapeau, it’s likely a welcome change from the uncertainty surrounding Fairgames.
His expertise in multiplayer game design will undoubtedly benefit WB Games Montreal’s future projects. The question remains whether his departure will be the final nail in Fairgames’ coffin or if Haven Studios can recover from losing such crucial leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Daniel Drapeau leave Haven Studios?
Drapeau hasn’t publicly stated his reasons for leaving Haven Studios. He simply updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect his new position at WB Games Montreal without making any formal announcements about his departure.
What is Daniel Drapeau’s gaming background?
Daniel Drapeau is an industry veteran who served as gameplay director for Shadow of the Tomb Raider and lead designer for Rainbow Six Siege. He has extensive experience in multiplayer game development and design.
Is Fairgames cancelled?
Sony hasn’t officially announced any cancellation of Fairgames. However, industry analyst Michael Pachter has suggested the game might be cancelled, and the departure of key personnel has fueled speculation about the project’s future.
When was Fairgames supposed to release?
Fairgames was originally planned for a late 2025 release, but the timeline has reportedly shifted to sometime in 2026. With ongoing development troubles, the actual release date remains uncertain.
Who else has left Haven Studios?
Jade Raymond, the co-founder and former studio head of Haven Studios, also left the company earlier in 2025. Her departure, combined with Drapeau’s exit, has raised concerns about the studio’s stability.
What type of game is Fairgames?
Fairgames is designed as a multiplayer heist game where teams compete against each other. It’s part of Sony’s broader push into live service gaming, though details about gameplay mechanics remain limited.
Will Haven Studios survive without its key leadership?
Haven Studios continues to operate under Sony’s ownership, but the loss of both its founder and game director presents significant challenges. The studio’s future likely depends on Sony’s continued investment and whether the remaining team can deliver a successful product.
Looking Forward
The quiet exit of Daniel Drapeau marks another troubling chapter in PlayStation’s live service journey. While his departure doesn’t guarantee Fairgames’ failure, it certainly doesn’t inspire confidence in the project’s future.
For gaming fans, this situation serves as a reminder of how volatile game development can be. Even experienced teams with solid backing can struggle when vision, execution, and market realities don’t align. Whether Fairgames can survive this latest setback remains to be seen, but the signs aren’t particularly encouraging.