Ternox Games PS5 Release Cancelled After Sony Terminates Publisher Deal

Ternox Games has lost its publishing agreement with Sony, which means the PS5 version of its upcoming title STONKS-9800 will not launch on the console. This sudden shift affects players who expected to play the game on PlayStation and removes thirteen existing Ternox titles from the store. The developer stated that Sony terminated the partnership without providing any explanation, leaving the studio to pivot its release strategy immediately.

Sony terminates publisher agreement, cancelling STONKS-9800 PS5 launch and delisting 13 previous titles

The studio is now redirecting STONKS-9800 to Nintendo Switch and Xbox platforms instead of PlayStation. STONKS-9800 has already established a strong presence on PC, having sold 100,000 copies on Steam with an overwhelmingly positive user rating. The game focuses on stock market simulation, a niche that has resonated with a dedicated player base despite the platform loss.

All thirteen of Ternox Games' previous PlayStation titles are scheduled for delisting from the PlayStation Store after August 23, 2026. This mass removal affects the entire back catalog of the indie studio, not just the unreleased STONKS-9800. The developer confirmed that these removals are a direct consequence of the terminated publisher agreement.

Ternox Games expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging that they failed the developers whose games they published. The studio emphasized that there is nothing they can do to prevent the delistings or reverse the termination. Some observers have suggested this move aligns with Sony's recent efforts to clear low-quality shovelware from the store, though neither Sony nor Ternox has confirmed this motive.

The cancellation of the PS5 release and the delisting of existing titles mark a significant disruption for the studio. Ternox Games will now focus its resources on launching STONKS-9800 on Nintendo Switch and Xbox. Players interested in the title will need to wait for these new platform releases after the August 23 delisting deadline.

Source: VideoGameChronicles