Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
War Thunder’s 14th Community Spotlight Shows How Live Service Games Keep Players Creating
War Thunder's ongoing Community Spotlight series, now in its 14th edition, exemplifies how developers can sustain player engagement in live service games through consistent recognition of fan creations. Gaijin Entertainment's approach, which includes rewarding featured creators with exclusive in-game decals and encouraging the integration of physical scale models with digital counterparts, fosters a strong community bond. This strategy offers valuable lessons for other developers on building long-term player retention through genuine community interaction rather than solely relying on monetization or gameplay loops.
Black Ops vet says his mystery PlayStation project wasn't a live-service game, and even if Sony shutting down his studio "f***ing sucked" he reckons it's just because "times change"
Sony has shut down its first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games, led by Call of Duty: Black Ops veteran Jason Blundell. Blundell confirmed the closure, stating that while the situation "f***ing sucked," he understands it's due to changing times. The studio's unannounced project was confirmed not to be a live-service game.
Marathon is rescheduling its frustrating endgame, but you're still against the clock: 'No schedule is perfect,…
Bungie is adjusting the schedule for Marathon's endgame modes, Cryo Archive and Ranked, to address player feedback about overlapping availability. While the new schedule separates the modes entirely, Bungie acknowledges that no schedule is perfect and will continue to consider player feedback for future adjustments. The developer is exploring ways to improve player experience within the game's live service framework.
Fortnite Rocket Racing and more are being sunsetted amidst layoffs
Epic Games is shutting down several Fortnite modes, including Rocket Racing, Ballistic, and Festival Battle Stage, amidst significant layoffs affecting over 1,000 employees. The company is also discontinuing downloads for the original Horizon Chase and Horizon Chase Turbo. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated the company is rebuilding its foundations to navigate industry upheaval and focus on seasonal content for Fortnite and future Unreal Engine development.
"Heavyweights ruined the industry... now we live on the indies" Nordic Game embraces smaller devs and games with soul
Nordic Game program director Jacob Riis believes the industry is currently sustained by independent developers, contrasting them with large studios that he feels have negatively impacted the market. He highlights the focus on creativity and artistic expression in indie games as a response to the profit-driven nature of many AAA titles and live service games. Riis also notes an increase in ticket sales for Nordic Game, suggesting a growing interest in smaller-scale events and developers.
Epic Games layoffs serve as a timely reminder that accountability is dead
Epic Games has announced layoffs affecting over 1,000 employees, despite Fortnite remaining a highly successful live service game. The company also secured a $1.5 billion investment from Disney for a new entertainment universe. The layoffs have raised questions about accountability within the company, particularly concerning its acquisitions of Harmonix and Mediatonic.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says 'employers will see a stream of resumes of once-in-a-lifetime quality' after the company laid off more than 1,000 people
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that the company has laid off over 1,000 employees and cut significant costs, stating that the company is still spending more than it earns. Sweeney noted that the layoffs were not performance-based and that affected employees represent top talent. The company cited a downturn in Fortnite engagement and lower sales of current-generation consoles as reasons for the financial struggles.
Sony shuts down Dark Outlaw Games and downsizes mobile games development as PlayStation continues to rethink plans
Sony Interactive Entertainment has shut down its newly formed studio Dark Outlaw Games and is downsizing its mobile game development division, affecting around 50 workers. This move signals a potential shift away from the mobile market and a return to focusing on large exclusive releases, possibly impacting the company's PC strategy.
Sony is Shutting Down Dark Outlaw Games, Moving Away From Mobile Development – Rumor
Sony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, and is also cutting around 50 employees from its mobile development division. This move away from mobile comes as the company focuses on a few select high-impact projects, potentially impacting titles like MLB The Show Mobile and Ratchet and Clank: Ranger Rumble.
Marathon Sales Look Soft So Far – PC By Far The Favoured Platform
Marathon has sold approximately 1.2 million copies, generating around $48 million in revenue, with PC being the dominant platform for sales. Despite initial sales being softer than anticipated by Sony and Bungie, the game has received positive reviews. However, current player trends suggest a potential challenge for its long-term viability as a live service title.
IOI Partners no longer wants anything to do with MindsEye
Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly undergoing significant layoffs and studio closures, marking the second such event in a month. This follows the cancellation of projects at studios like Deviation Games and Haven Studios, with concerns also raised about Bungie's future and the company's overall strategy for live service games.
Splitgate devs reveal the team is working on a new movement shooter, like Titanfall and Black Ops 3
1047 Games, the developer behind Splitgate, has revealed it is working on a new movement shooter inspired by Titanfall and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. The project is in its early stages, with a small team dedicated to its development. The studio is actively seeking testers for the new game and also provided an update on the second season of Splitgate Arena Reloaded.
Sony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, run by former Call of Duty director
Sony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio led by former Call of Duty director Jason Blundell. This closure is part of broader staff cuts at PlayStation focused on mobile development, signaling a retreat from live-service multiplayer games. Several other studios and projects have also been affected or canceled recently.
Sony closes Dark Outlaw Games, just a year after its founding
Sony is shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, just one year after its establishment. This marks the second time Sony has ended a partnership with a Blundell-formed company, following Deviation Games. The closure of Dark Outlaw Games is part of broader layoffs across PlayStation's US and UK businesses and a strategic shift away from the mobile gaming market.
"We've sportified Steam charts" according to Warframe boss, who sees gamers obsessing over player counts the way "baseball freaks" dig into batting averages
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford compares the obsession with Steam charts and player counts to sports fandom, noting how gamers "sportify" metrics like batting averages. She discusses how this discourse around live-service games is not new, drawing parallels to the music and film industries, and emphasizes that success is ultimately defined by the consumer.
PlayStation are reportedly shuttering another first-party studio, this time from Call of Duty vet Jason Blundell
Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded last year by former Call of Duty lead Jason Blundell. The company is also making cuts in mobile development, laying off approximately 50 people. This follows recent closures of other first-party studios like Bluepoint Games.
'I Have Done So Much for This Company': Axed Fortnite Dev Can't Believe He's Been Laid Off
Epic Games has laid off over 1,000 employees, with a former Fortnite Principal Engineer, Evan Kinney, expressing shock and bewilderment at his dismissal despite strong performance reviews. The company cited that it is spending more on Fortnite than it is making, leading to staff reductions and scaling back of modes like Rocket Racing.
After Raising the Price on V-Bucks, Epic Games is Laying Off Over 1000 Employees | Console Creatures
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced over 1,000 employees are being laid off, citing lower-than-expected engagement for live-service games in 2025 and broader industry challenges. This follows a price increase for V-bucks and previous layoffs in 2023. The company is also shutting down modes like Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival.
Epic Games Lays Off Over 1,000 Employees Amid Fortnite Slowdown and Industry Pressure
Epic Games has laid off over 1,000 employees due to declining Fortnite engagement and broader industry pressures, as confirmed by CEO Tim Sweeney. The company is implementing significant cost reductions and addressing challenges in maintaining consistent seasonal content for Fortnite. These layoffs are framed as a financial correction, not related to AI adoption, while Epic continues to invest in Unreal Engine and developer tools.
Fortnite popularity slips so much Epic Games lays off 1,000 staff
Epic Games has announced further layoffs, cutting 1,000 employees, citing a decline in Fortnite's engagement and increased spending. This follows a similar round of layoffs and V-Bucks price increases in 2023. Several Fortnite game modes, including Ballistic and Battle Stage, will be shut down in April, with Rocket Racing to follow in October.
