Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
Latest coverage
GTA 6 Multiplayer Could Launch In 2027, Twitch CEO Says
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy speculated that Grand Theft Auto 6's multiplayer component could launch in 2027, based on discussions with Rockstar Games. While Rockstar has described the initial release as single-player, the success of Grand Theft Auto Online suggests a future multiplayer mode is highly anticipated. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version expected later.
13 years in and on its third console generation, how does GTA 5 hold up for a return visit?
This analysis revisits Grand Theft Auto 5 thirteen years after its initial release and on its third console generation, the PlayStation 5. While the game's visuals and technical enhancements, including ray tracing and DualSense haptics, hold up remarkably well, its satirical commentary on American capitalism and societal issues feels dated and at times exhausting. The article highlights how GTA Online has become the primary driver of the game's longevity, evolving into a live service that continues to resonate with players.
Login errors delay Diablo 4's big new Season of Hell's Legacy anniversary update
The launch of Diablo 4's Season of Hell's Legacy was significantly delayed due to widespread login errors, impacting players across multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, as well as the new Nintendo Switch release. Blizzard Entertainment acknowledged the issues and worked to resolve them, with the season eventually going live over six hours late, though some features were temporarily disabled.
BlizzCon 2026: StarCraft confirms a single-player focus but is also seeking devs with multiplayer know-how
Blizzard Entertainment confirmed that the upcoming StarCraft shooter will primarily focus on a single-player experience with a defined beginning, middle, and end. While job postings suggest potential multiplayer or live service elements, the game is currently slated for a 2030 release with a focus on the 'Marine fantasy'.
MMO Week in Review: Foreverrrrr
BlizzCon 2026 saw major announcements including a new open-world StarCraft shooter, Diablo V for 2029, and World of Warcraft Forever launching soon. The event also revealed World of Warcraft's next retail expansion, The Last Titan, and sparked controversy over World of Warcraft Forever's monetization. Other news included the sunsetting of Ship of Heroes, layoffs at Pantheon Rise of the Fallen, and business dealings involving ArcheAge.
StarCraft is a narrative-driven shooter with 'a definitive ending' and 'not a seasonal game'
Blizzard Entertainment announced a new StarCraft game, described by GM and creative director Dan Hay as a narrative-driven, open-world shooter with a definitive ending, not a seasonal live-service title. Set 70 years after StarCraft 2, the game will feature a customizable protagonist and allow players to explore a rich world, engage in serious missions with narrative consequences, and scavenge for gear. The game is slated for a 2030 release.
Lineage II to Launch First New Live Server in More Than a Decade | Invision Game Community
NC (formerly NCSOFT) announced that Lineage II will launch a new Live server on September 15, the first in over a decade. This new server aims to provide a fresh start for both new and returning players of the 22-year-old MMORPG. Pre-registration is open, offering rewards and a 500% EXP boost to encourage player progression.
Cinder City Will be a Buy-to-Play Game With Live-Service-Style Post-Launch Support
BigFire Games' upcoming MMO shooter Cinder City will be a Buy-to-Play title with post-launch support in the style of live-service games, including cosmetic microtransactions and battle passes. The game is currently PC-only at launch, with a console release planned for later, leaving cross-platform play undecided. Developed with Unreal Engine 5, Cinder City is slated for the second half of 2026.
2XKO wasn't a "mistake," Riot's Marc Merrill says. "We delivered a game that took risks"
Riot Games Co-Founder Marc Merrill stated that 2XKO was not a mistake, but a game that took risks, despite its development ending. He acknowledged the challenges of the fighting game market and the difficulty of sustaining live service titles in a competitive landscape. While 2XKO did not achieve critical mass, Merrill expressed pride in the team's effort and commitment to taking big swings with future projects.
World of Warcraft makes "different mistakes" each patch, but "that's to some extent inevitable, and a little bit our goal"
World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas and Associate Game Director Paul Kubit discuss the direction of the Midnight expansion and patch 12.1, Curse of Ula'tek. They acknowledge that mistakes are inevitable with large content rollouts and that the team learns from them, aiming for different errors in subsequent patches. The developers also touch on the importance of variety in content, future updates like Labyrinths, and express respect for the Final Fantasy XIV team.
NHL 27 review: Pangful to watch
This review of NHL 27 expresses significant disappointment with the franchise's continued lack of meaningful improvement, awarding it a low score for the sixth consecutive year. While acknowledging minor gameplay enhancements and improved music, the article criticizes the lackluster commentary, the missed potential of the Connected Franchise mode, and a significant step backward in representation for women in hockey.
Crimson Desert's first DLC is called Charting the Unknown, and it's out next month
Pearl Abyss has announced Charting the Unknown, the first DLC for Crimson Desert, set to release on October 15th. This new content will add story missions, homesteading, and romance features to the game. The announcement follows the recent "Enhanced" free upgrade and comes as the developer explores multiplayer and live service models, with a Nintendo Switch version also in development.
Ace Combat 8 reveals live service online multiplayer modes that include PvE, PvP, PvPvE battles, and a hangout space
Ace Combat 8 will feature Ace Combat Online, a separate live-service component with various multiplayer modes including PvE, PvP, and PvPvE battles. It also includes a social hub where players can interact, play mini-games like Pac-Man, and listen to Ace Combat soundtracks. Producer Manabu Shimomoto stated the social hub was created in response to fan feedback for opportunities to connect.
GamesRadar+ Fall Preview 2026: Your next favorite games make up our hefty Most Wanted list
GamesRadar+ has released its Fall Preview list for 2026, highlighting anticipated games across various genres. While Grand Theft Auto 6 is mentioned, the list focuses on other titles like Marvel's Wolverine, Control Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, Gears of War: E-Day, and Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, among many others.
Dune: Awakening lead says "100 hours isn't bad" to get out of the survival MMO, but its new single-player mode gives you "full control over the experience" and time you spend
Dune: Awakening is introducing a new single-player mode that allows players to customize their experience and potentially complete the game in fewer than 100 hours. Chief creative officer Joel Bylos stated that this mode offers full control over difficulty and other settings, contrasting with the more curated multiplayer experience. The developer is also looking into addressing player feedback regarding the grind in the multiplayer aspects of the survival MMO.
I'm excited for Stage Tour, but Rock Band 4 will take a lot to beat
Rock Band 4 remains the last active title from the plastic-instrument rhythm game era, a decade after its release. Despite challenges with peripheral availability and music licensing, the game continues to receive weekly track additions and maintain an active online community. While Fortnite Festival offers a new Harmonix experience, it does not fully replace the legacy or song library of Rock Band 4.
Usual June mixes Hades-esque action, crystal crabs and ghosts to make for a game that'll do well in your Halloween rotation
Usual June is an upcoming action-adventure game that blends Hades-like combat with a classic Halloween aesthetic. Players control June, a college student who must defend her town from crystalline crabs and ghosts using a morphable wrench. The game is set to release on October 28th and is available to wishlist on Steam.
Path of Exile 2's Director admits, "We had a lot of arrogance about how long we thought it would take"
Path of Exile 2 is set to launch on December 11, transitioning to a free-to-play model on Steam. Game Director Jonathan Rogers admitted that Grinding Gear Games underestimated the development time, particularly for the endgame and unique items, due to the game being fundamentally different from its predecessor. The team is now confident that the core elements are in a satisfactory state for the 1.0 launch.
All the key details about 'anime GTA' game Ananta
Ananta, formerly known as Project Mugen, is set to release on January 15, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile platforms. This free-to-play open-world RPG developed by NetEase features a unique urban setting with influences from Tokyo and Hangzhou, and promises a variety of gameplay mechanics including combat, exploration, and social activities, while notably not featuring character gacha mechanics.
Exterminauts Season Pass Won’t Make You Pay If You’re Willing To Play
Behaviour Interactive's upcoming third-person shooter Exterminauts will feature optional Battle Passes that can be earned through gameplay or purchased. Creative director Vincent Regimbald stated that these Battle Passes, lasting about six weeks, will offer new cosmetics and weapons. The game, launching in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, also includes weapon mods and passive abilities called emblems that allow for deep character customization.
