Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
Marathon and Destiny fans engage in a brief digital war of Steam user reviewbombing
Fans of Destiny 2 have reportedly review-bombed the Steam page for Bungie's upcoming game Marathon, expressing frustration over perceived resource diversion. The negative reviews, which called Marathon trash and inferior to Destiny 2, were met with a surge of positive reviews from Marathon defenders. The situation appears to have subsided after three days, with Steam reviews returning to a more balanced state.
MMOs don't need 'to be 200 hours of unique content' at launch, says industry vet
MMO design veteran Jack Emmert argues that new Massively Multiplayer Online games do not need to launch with an excessive amount of unique content. He suggests that focusing on a strong core experience and a committed live team allows for organic growth based on player desires, contrasting this with the current industry trend of over-scoping.
League of Legends won't be following the trend of having tons of collaboration skins: 'The second you do [it],…
Riot Games, specifically for League of Legends, will not be implementing third-party collaboration skins, according to lead designer August Browning. He stated that such crossovers drastically change the game's tone and can dilute its identity, contrasting with trends seen in games like Fortnite and Call of Duty. While acknowledging the appeal of such collaborations, Riot prefers to maintain its own distinct identity.
As an online petition for Destiny 3 gains traction, reports suggest Bungie staff didn't know about the end of Destiny 2 until the public announcement
Bungie has announced that Destiny 2 will cease receiving new content updates in early June, with its final expansion being Shattered Cycle. Reports indicate that most Bungie staff were unaware of this decision until the public announcement, despite an online petition for Destiny 3 gaining significant traction. Sony is reportedly wary of committing to expensive MMO projects as the company pivots away from live-service games.
Take-Two CEO Pushes Back Against Suggestion Red Dead Online Was a Missed Opportunity
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Red Dead Online has been immensely successful and long-lasting, pushing back against the idea that it was a missed opportunity. He emphasized its continued success and longevity within the live service gaming landscape.
Most of Bungie's staff were reportedly unaware of the decision to end active development on Destiny 2 until it went public
Bungie has reportedly ended active development on Destiny 2, with its final update scheduled for June. Many developers at Bungie were allegedly unaware of this decision until it was publicly announced, leading to internal frustration. The studio is shifting resources towards its new title, Marathon, which is expected to receive increased support from Sony.
Helldivers 2 begins the long march back into the community's good books with a technical patch that represents the 'opening salvo' in a battle for better performance
Arrowhead Game Studios is releasing a technical patch for Helldivers 2 on May 27, focusing on performance improvements through upscaling support, advanced visual optimizations, and reduced latency. This patch, developed in collaboration with Nixxes Software, is the first in a series of planned updates aimed at enhancing the game's performance across all platforms, particularly on PC. The developer also teased future additions like longer in-game events and new content.
Star Citizen has raised one billion dollars and it’s still in alpha
Cloud Imperium Games' Star Citizen has raised one billion dollars through crowdfunding, over a decade after its initial launch in 2012. Despite remaining in alpha with persistent bugs and performance issues, the game has attracted over six million registered players. The studio anticipates the single-player campaign Squadron 42 in 2026, with the full multiplayer version potentially arriving in 2027 or 2028.
Fans Are Petitioning Sony To Greenlight Destiny 3
Fans have started a petition urging Sony to fund the development of Destiny 3, following Bungie's announcement that active development on Destiny 2 is ending. Bungie cited high costs as the reason for not pursuing Destiny 3, and reports suggest the studio may face layoffs. The petition highlights the franchise's popularity and community impact, with over 137,000 signatures.
As Destiny 2 prepares for one final update, a former Bungie legal chief says the studio is "now becoming what I…
Bungie's former General Counsel, Don McGowan, expressed concerns that the studio is becoming a "publishing imprint" under Sony's ownership, following reports of layoffs and the end of active development for Destiny 2. McGowan, who helped facilitate Bungie's acquisition by Sony, stated his fears are coming true regarding the developer's future.
Destiny 2’s End of Support Was Unknown to Most of Bungie – Rumor
Reports suggest that most of Bungie's staff were unaware of the decision to end support for Destiny 2 until the announcement. The studio is reportedly planning significant layoffs and does not have Destiny 3 in active development, though other Destiny IP titles are being considered. Sony's financial performance with live-service games has influenced the decision not to invest heavily in a direct sequel.
Destiny 2 players share their memories and reviews - positive and negative - as Bungie calls time
Bungie has announced the end of content updates for its live service shooter Destiny 2, with the final drop scheduled for June 9, 2026. While the game will remain playable, the news has led to a mixed review campaign on Steam, with players sharing both positive memories and negative feedback. Reports also suggest Bungie may face significant layoffs and that a direct sequel is not currently in development.
Rumor Mill
A report suggests that a significant portion of Bungie's staff were unaware that Destiny 2's active development was ending until the announcement was made. This news comes from TheGamePost and raises questions about internal communication at the studio.
Saturday Postmortems/Retrospectives
This retrospective reflects on the highs and lows of the live service game Destiny 2, acknowledging its significant impact and mixed legacy. The article discusses the game's evolution and its place in the player's personal gaming history.
Deadlock's latest 'small update' yet again remixes basic mechanics and rebalances most of the roster
Valve has released a small update for its MOBA Deadlock, significantly altering its comeback mechanics. The 'soul urn' now requires players to deposit it in the center of the map, initiating a channeling phase that can be interrupted by enemies. Additionally, the midboss that grants resurrection abilities now spawns at the start of the game, increasing early-game strategic options.
Destiny fans petition for Destiny 3, with heartfelt messages
A petition for Destiny 3 has rapidly gained over 48,000 signatures, with many players sharing heartfelt messages about the franchise's impact on their lives. Fans express a strong desire for new adventures and innovative gameplay, believing Destiny 3 could revitalize the series. Despite player demand and criticism of recent management decisions by Bungie, Destiny 3 is reportedly not in development.
Popular Online Video Games Right Now (2026)
This article discusses the factors contributing to the enduring popularity of online video games in 2026, focusing on competitive balance, social interaction, and continuous updates. It categorizes popular genres like tactical shooters, battle royales, MMORPGs, MOBAs, and co-op sandbox games, offering advice on choosing a game that fits individual preferences and schedules. The piece also touches upon the potential downsides of live-service models, such as pressure from daily rewards and battle passes, and emphasizes the importance of responsible play and time management.
Destiny 3 is Not in Development, Bungie Planning “Significant” Number of Layoffs – Rumor
Bungie is reportedly planning significant layoffs, with sources indicating that a Destiny 3 sequel is not currently in development. While Destiny 2 will cease receiving new content updates after June 9th, the studio is exploring new game pitches, including potential future Destiny titles. Some staff have shifted to work on the extraction shooter Marathon.
Former Bungie dev says 'you'd be surprised how many times' expansions were pitched for a fan-favorite Destiny archvillain who's now left hanging
A former Bungie narrative designer revealed that multiple expansion concepts for the Destiny archvillain Xivu Arath were pitched for Destiny 2. Despite significant narrative investment in the character, these expansions were never greenlit, leaving her story unresolved as Destiny 2's live service development concludes. The article also touches on Bungie's struggles following Sony's acquisition and the impact on the game's future.
Destiny 2 was never going to last forever, but that's what made it special
Destiny 2's final content update, Moment of Triumph, launches June 9, marking the end of its live-service era. While the game will remain playable, Bungie is shifting focus to new projects like Marathon, potentially leading to layoffs. The article reflects on the unique value of live-service games and the memories they create, drawing parallels to Destiny's predecessor and contrasting Bungie's approach with Square Enix's handling of Final Fantasy 14.
