Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
The Elder Scrolls 6 Exclusivity Question Avoided by Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and other executives have avoided clarifying the exclusivity status of The Elder Scrolls 6. While acknowledging the need for exclusive content, Sharma stated that the game is 'beautiful' when pressed on the matter, and other Xbox strategists have indicated a continued commitment to exclusives.
Panic refunds tariff fees, 1047 Games pivots from Splitgate, and Gamescom Dev grows - Patch Notes #67
This week's gaming news covers the prevalence of generative AI at Gamescom, Panic's refund of tariff fees for the Playdate handheld, and Rockstar Games' response to the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. Additionally, 1047 Games is ending development on Splitgate Arena Reloaded and Empulse, CAA launched an indie game fund, and actor Tim Curry passed away. Gamescom Dev saw growth, and No More Room in Hell 2 surpassed one million players.
1047 Games stänger servrarna för både Empulse och Splitgate: Arena Reloaded
Developer 1047 Games is shutting down servers for its titles Empulse and Splitgate: Arena Reloaded due to financial unsustainability. Both games will transition to peer-to-peer support on September 3rd, allowing players to host their own matches. Empulse will receive a final map and price reduction, after which 1047 Games will pivot to new projects.
I have solved the male loneliness epidemic in Grand Theft Auto 5
This article explores the concept of male loneliness and proposes a humorous solution within Grand Theft Auto 5 using the '2gether' mod. The author details how this mod allows players to interact with NPCs in unconventional ways, treating them as companions to combat isolation, even amidst the game's chaotic environment. A poll regarding player engagement with live service games is also included.
Another PlayStation 5 Multiplayer Game Loses Support Within a Year
1047 Games announced that Splitgate 2 will cease active development and shut down its dedicated servers in September 2026, less than a year after its relaunch. While the game will remain playable via peer-to-peer connections, this change may prevent players from unlocking certain trophies. The studio also stated a shift away from live service titles for future projects.
I added a gang notoriety system to GTA 5, but it mostly seems to make them murder everyone except me
An experiment was conducted to add a gang notoriety system to Grand Theft Auto 5 using mods, aiming to make NPCs more aggressive towards the player. While the system initially made gang members hostile, they soon began attacking each other instead of the player, leading to unexpected and chaotic outcomes.
The Biggest Gaming Stories That Happened Since GTA 5 Came Out 13 Years Ago
Since Grand Theft Auto 5's release in September 2013, the gaming landscape has seen significant shifts, including the rise of live-service games like Fortnite and the eventual decline of E3. Major events include numerous Skyrim ports, the expansion of the Watch Dogs franchise, Halo appearing on PlayStation, and Grand Theft Auto 5 itself releasing on multiple new platforms. The period also saw the rise of Andrew Wilson at EA, the entire Phil Spencer era at Xbox, the successful launch and dominance of the Nintendo Switch, and a significant increase in console prices.
Metro 2039: The First Hands-On Preview
Metro 2039 is shaping up to be a standout single-player first-person shooter, offering a refreshing alternative to the prevalent live-service model. The preview highlights the game's attention to detail and craftsmanship, suggesting it may become a favorite in the genre.
Sony trolls PlayStation boycotters with reminder they don't own digital games
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reminded PlayStation users that digital games are licensed, not owned, amidst backlash over the discontinuation of physical game discs. This reminder, sent via email, emphasizes the limited rights granted to players for digital purchases, coinciding with a planned gamer boycott and Sony's continued pursuit of live service games.
Work on now-canceled The Last of Us Online caused the huge gap in Naughty Dog’s release cycle
Naughty Dog has canceled its ambitious online multiplayer game set in The Last of Us universe due to its massive scope, which diverted resources from other projects. This decision has contributed to a significant gap between the studio's major releases and reflects Sony's struggles with its push into live service games.
'We didn't have layoffs before, and now all of a sudden we have yearly layoffs': Bethesda artist says 'something has changed' under Microsoft
Bethesda artist Alex Nguyen stated that yearly layoffs have become a norm under Microsoft's ownership, contrasting with the studio's past. He highlighted the erosion of institutional knowledge and the impact on long-term commitment among staff. This comes amidst industry-wide concerns about corporate greed and job security, with Microsoft also implementing significant job cuts in its gaming divisions.
EverQuest Legends dev says 'I'm sure we would' add new classes, races 'in the longer-term vision of…
Developers from Daybreak Game Company and Game Jawn discussed future plans for EverQuest Legends, including the potential addition of new classes and races not present in the original EverQuest. While not guaranteed for the upcoming expansion, these additions are part of the long-term vision for the game. The developers also touched upon the work involved in implementing such features.
The dungeoncrawler where you really can roll to seduce the dragon has been delayed until next year
Rizz Dungeon: Skeleton Key to My Heart has been delayed until next year due to better-than-expected sales of developer Snoozy Kazoo's previous titles, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion and Turnip Boy Robs a Bank. This delay will allow the small studio to add more content and avoid crunch, resulting in a more polished and healthier-developed game. The RPG focuses on using charisma to charm a dragon ex-girlfriend and recruit monster girls to fight.
Can the Epic Games Store turn things around? 'I don't see how they can recover at this point,' says…
Industry analyst Emmanuel Rosier expresses skepticism about the Epic Games Store's ability to recover market share from Steam, citing its reliance on free game giveaways and broad competitive efforts. While acknowledging Epic's success with Fortnite and its integration of various game IPs, Rosier believes the storefront faces an uphill battle.
Ranking the 12 Greatest Blizzard Games of All Time
This article ranks the 12 greatest games developed by Blizzard Entertainment, highlighting titles like Starcraft, Diablo 2, and Overwatch for their lasting impact and innovative gameplay. It discusses Blizzard's history of creating enduring titles, many of which utilize live service models and continue to receive expansions and updates.
Fallout dev Tim Cain says we should pay more attention to bad games: '[Publishers] often don't learn from failure because they only look at the games that sold well'
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain argues that both publishers and players should pay more attention to poorly received games to learn from failures. He suggests that analyzing unsuccessful titles, not just bestsellers or notorious flops, can provide valuable insights into game design and market trends. Cain believes this approach is crucial for industry growth and avoiding repeated mistakes.
2XKO's shutdown has me feeling glum about Riot's future MMO—because I don't think the genre can survive corporate cut-and-run tactics
The shutdown of Riot Games' fighting game 2XKO has raised concerns about the future of the company's upcoming MMO, due to perceived corporate impatience with long-term development cycles. The article argues that the high cost and long development time required for MMOs necessitate a sustained commitment that Riot's recent actions, including layoffs after 2XKO's release, do not inspire confidence in.
Still more GTA 6 details from the latest leaked video: traffic cameras, car trackers, and drivers that put up a fight
A new leaked video of Grand Theft Auto 6 showcases details such as drivers resisting carjacking, traffic cameras that can detect stolen vehicles, and a Lojack-like vehicle recovery system. The footage also confirms Rockstar Games' return to its signature rude business names and features functional road reflectors. The article also includes a poll about players' engagement with live service games.
Arc Raiders is halting Expeditions until 2027 so it can make 'major improvements' to the system
Embark Studios is pausing Expeditions in Arc Raiders until early 2027 to implement major improvements based on player feedback. The fifth Expedition will be the last until the rework, addressing issues like departure windows, reward structure, and accessibility. The studio plans to share more details on the changes in September.
Arc Raiders is shutting down Expeditions "until early 2027" to make "major improvements" after…
Embark Studios is pausing Arc Raiders' Expeditions mode until early 2027 to implement significant improvements based on player feedback. The upcoming 'Frozen Trail' update on October 8 will not feature an Expedition, addressing issues like tight departure windows and reward structures. This downtime aims to revitalize the game's endgame loop and player engagement.
