Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
LEGO 2K Drive is getting delisted soon and servers will shut down
LEGO 2K Drive will be delisted from digital storefronts on May 19, 2026, and its online servers will shut down on May 31, 2027. The article speculates that licensing issues or low profitability, evidenced by low player counts on Steam, are likely reasons for the shutdown. This event highlights ongoing concerns about game preservation in the industry.
Stories from making Marvel Rivals
NetEase Games Publishing and Marketing Lead Yachen Bian and Marvel Games Executive Producer Danny Koo discussed the development of the live service team-based shooter Marvel Rivals. They shared insights on the importance of 'time to action,' global community management, and reacting to player feedback during a live recording of the Game Developer Podcast at the 2026 GDC Festival of Gaming.
Lego 2K Drive is being delisted in a matter of days despite only being a few years old - grab it before it's bricked over
Lego 2K Drive will be delisted from digital storefronts on May 19, 2026, with its online multiplayer servers shutting down on May 31, 2027. Publisher 2K has not provided a specific reason for the delisting, though expiring licensing agreements are suspected. The game, which blends kart racing with open-world elements, received a mixed review upon its 2023 release, with criticism directed at its live service components.
How to make Titanium Ingots in Subnautica 2
This guide explains how to craft Titanium Ingots in Subnautica 2, a necessary step for creating items like the Sonic Resonator and Repair Tool. Players must first build a Processor using a Habitat Builder, which requires scanning for the blueprint. The Processor then uses three titanium pieces to create one Titanium Ingot.
Mystic Messenger's most loyal players are getting banned in droves for seemingly playing the game too much
Cheritz, the developer of the dating sim Mystic Messenger, has begun issuing widespread bans to players, particularly those with 1,000 or more in-game Hourglasses. The bans are reportedly due to "abusive behavior" detected on accounts, though many affected players believe it's an error caused by a new automated security system. This action comes as the game approaches its 10th anniversary, potentially impacting future monetization strategies.
Amazon Cancels Lord of the Rings MMORPG - GameHaunt
Amazon Games has cancelled its Lord of the Rings MMORPG, ending a partnership with Embracer Group due to high technical costs and a strategic pivot away from massive online worlds. This marks Amazon's second failed attempt at a Tolkien-based MMO. The company is still working on a smaller, single-player Middle-earth game, potentially developed by Warhorse Studios, while its other MMO, New World, is scheduled to shut down on October 31, 2027.
ARC Raiders cuts its cadence down to two major updates a year plus intermediate updates
Embark Studios, a subsidiary of Nexon, is shifting the development cadence for its live service game ARC Raiders to two major updates per year, moving away from a monthly cycle. This change aims to allow for larger, more impactful updates and greater investment in game health, including progression, economy balancing, and anti-cheat measures. The next major update, Frozen Trail, is scheduled for October and will introduce a new map, operation, progression systems, and narrative elements.
How to get Acidic Raion Pouch in Subnautica 2
This guide explains how to find Acidic Raion Pouches in Subnautica 2, a crucial component for crafting the scanner's basic battery. The pouches are harvested from purple, brain-shaped plants called Acid Raions, which can be found in caves near the starting Lifepod. Players will need a Survival Multitool to harvest them and should collect the pouches before the Medical Gel Sack to avoid acid damage.
ARC Raiders is ditching monthly updates for two major releases a year, and it is easy to see why
Embark Studios is shifting ARC Raiders from monthly updates to two major releases per year, supported by a live service team for ongoing fixes. This change aims to allow for more impactful updates, moving away from the pressure of a monthly cycle that has led to criticism of content thinness. The upcoming 'Frozen Trail' update in October will introduce a new map, operations, progression systems, and story elements.
The next big Arc Raiders update isn't until October, but some serious stash relief lands next week
Embark Studios is shifting Arc Raiders to a bi-annual major update schedule, with the first significant update, 'Frozen Trail,' planned for October. This change aims to allow the team to invest more deeply in the game's health and create more transformative updates. In the interim, a new trader will be introduced next week offering inventory relief and stash space.
Arc Raiders Slows Down Updates, Next Major Update Frozen Trail Arrives October 2025 — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Embark Studios announced that Arc Raiders will shift to releasing major updates twice a year, with the next significant update, Frozen Trail, scheduled for October 2025. This change aims to deliver more impactful content, while a dedicated live service team will continue with regular smaller updates, balance fixes, and player events. The decision comes after the previous Riven Tides update failed to significantly boost player engagement, prompting a re-evaluation of the game's content delivery strategy.
Arc Raiders Will Only Get Two Major Updates a Year Going Forward and Fans Aren't Happy
Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has announced a shift to releasing only two major content updates per year for the game. This decision has reportedly been met with dissatisfaction from the player base.
ARC Raiders reveals Frozen Trail in moving away from monthly updates
ARC Raiders is moving away from monthly updates, with major content additions now scheduled to release only twice per year. This change aims to improve the quality and impact of updates for the live service game.
Games Inbox: Are 3D platformers a dead genre?
This collection of reader letters discusses the perceived decline of 3D platformers, the controversy surrounding game reviews and developer apologies, and the high price of upcoming games like Grand Theft Auto 6. Other topics include the financial struggles of Sony's acquisition of Bungie and the increasing time it takes to develop games.
ARC Raiders is Shifting to 2 Major Updates Yearly, “Largest Map” Yet Coming in October
Embark Studios is shifting ARC Raiders from monthly updates to two major content updates per year, with the next, Frozen Trail, arriving in October. This change aims to allow for larger, more impactful updates that genuinely change gameplay, while regular bug fixes and smaller content additions will continue. The October update will introduce the game's largest map yet, new enemy types, progression goals, and begin to uncover the origins of the ARC.
‘We did say we were going to work on it at some point:’ Red Barrels co-founder says a ‘project’ is in the works, and I sure hope it’s Outlast 3
Red Barrels co-founder Philippe Morin confirmed that the studio is working on a new game project in parallel to their live-service title, The Outlast Trials. While not explicitly named, Morin hinted that it could be Outlast 3, stating that the franchise's financial success makes a new entry logical. The studio is currently balancing development between two projects.
Embark says the 'pressure of a monthly cycle' is holding Arc Raiders back, so it's slowing down: Major updates will come every 6 months from now on
Embark is shifting Arc Raiders from monthly to bi-annual major updates to allow for more impactful content and system refinements. A dedicated live service team will continue to provide regular smaller updates, cosmetics, and bug fixes between these larger content drops. This change aims to address player feedback regarding progression systems and the overall pace of content delivery in the live service shooter.
Arc Raiders' Next Big Update Isn't Coming Until October, And That Might Be A Good Thing
Embark Studios is shifting Arc Raiders to a major update cadence of roughly every six months, moving away from its initial monthly content plan. Executive producer Aleksander Grondal explained that the previous pace led to rushed features and that the new approach will allow for more impactful updates, including bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements in between major releases. The next significant update, Frozen Trail, is scheduled for October and will introduce a new map, enemies, progression systems, and more.
Sega has canceled its live service 'Super Game' due to 'intensifying market competition,' and I really, really hope it's a sign that the industry is finally correcting itself
Sega has canceled its ambitious 'Super Game' project, which aimed to be a major live service title, citing intensifying market competition. The company is reallocating around 100 developers to traditional full-game development, signaling a potential shift away from free-to-play models. This decision is seen by the author as a positive sign for the industry, suggesting a move towards more sustainable and less risky game development practices.
Games Inbox: What Sega game deserves a remake the most?
Readers discuss which Sega franchises deserve a remake, with concerns about the company's neglect of its classic IPs and the challenges of remaking Saturn-era 3D games. Other topics include potential Star Fox game ideas, worries about Rocksteady's future, a bafflingly long Forza Horizon ban, Katsuhiro Harada's new studio, and the debate around using game guides and the definition of 'indie' games.
