Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
PlayStation and Xbox have finally realised exclusives are the heart of gaming - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that both Sony and Microsoft have made a mistake by moving away from console exclusives, which are seen as the core of gaming. The author expresses relief at rumors suggesting a return to focusing on exclusive titles, criticizing the current generation's approach to live service games and PC ports.
Bluepoint’s Cancelled God of War Game Sent Atreus To Hades
Sony cancelled a live-service God of War spinoff developed by Bluepoint Games, which would have starred Atreus in Hades. The project struggled due to the team's inexperience with live-service titles and lack of progress, despite assistance from Santa Monica Studio. Bluepoint also reportedly pitched a Bloodborne remake, which was rejected by another company.
Marathon outsells Arc Raiders in launch week as Bungie's latest is not a flop
Bungie's Marathon has seen strong interest during its free Server Slam playtest, performing well on Steam's top sellers list and Twitch viewership, surpassing Arc Raiders in concurrent players. Despite a tumultuous development, the extraction shooter's early performance indicates positive player engagement ahead of its March 5 launch.
Sony ditches PC & Stardew Valley News | TAG
Sony is reportedly shifting focus back to console exclusivity for its single-player PlayStation games, potentially limiting future PC releases. Meanwhile, Stardew Valley's upcoming 1.7 update will add new marriage candidates, and Nvidia has recalled a problematic GPU driver.
Sony pivoting to single-player games and away from PC ports claim insiders
Insiders suggest Sony Interactive Entertainment is pivoting its strategy, potentially focusing more on single-player games and reducing PC ports of its titles. This shift, which may take several years to fully manifest, comes as the company continues its pursuit of live service game success with titles like Marathon and Horizon Hunters Gathering.
Valve in hot water, Discord begs forgiveness, and more game media layoffs - Patch Notes #42
This week's gaming news roundup covers significant industry events including Microsoft's Xbox leadership changes, Valve facing a lawsuit over gambling in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, and layoffs at companies like Riot Games and Eurogamer. Additionally, Krafton appointed a chief AI officer, Embark Studios' CEO became Nexon's executive chairman, and Discord delayed its age verification rollout.
Games Inbox: Is Resident Evil Requiem worth getting?
Readers discuss the merits of Resident Evil Requiem, with some hoping it recaptures the spirit of earlier titles like Resident Evil 4. Other topics include speculation about a new Pokémon announcement, Sony's strategy regarding PC exclusives, and the financial implications of Paramount's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. gaming assets.
What went wrong with Highguard? The "hubris" of its developer's leadership, say former staff in a new report
A report details issues surrounding the development and launch of Highguard, with former Wildlight Entertainment staff citing leadership hubris and financial mismanagement. The studio, founded by former Respawn developers, struggled with scope and a surprise launch strategy, leading to layoffs and a significantly reduced remaining team.
Could pre-launch open testing have saved Highguard?
Wildlight Entertainment's live service shooter Highguard failed shortly after launch due to a lack of public testing and a management decision to prioritize secrecy over community feedback. Developers cited hubris and a desire to replicate Apex Legends' secretive launch as contributing factors to the game's rapid player drop-off and the studio's subsequent implosion.
Your wait for Rainbow Six Mobile comes to an end with its global Android and iOS launch
Ubisoft's tactical shooter Rainbow Six Mobile has officially launched globally on Android and iOS. The free-to-play game features over 24 operators, multiple maps, and core 5v5 gameplay adapted for mobile devices. It includes ranked play, seasonal content, and optional in-app purchases.
Embark Studios CEO Patrick Soderlund named executive chairman of Nexon
Nexon has appointed Patrick Soderlund, CEO and co-founder of Embark Studios, as its new executive chairman. Soderlund will collaborate with Nexon president and CEO Junghun Lee to shape the company's creative and strategic direction, while remaining CEO of Embark Studios. This appointment follows the success of Embark's game Arc Raiders, which Nexon published.
Nexon snaps up Arc Raiders' Patrick Söderlund as executive chairman to "lead the next phase of growth" for the company
Nexon has appointed Patrick Söderlund, founder of Embark Studios and Arc Raiders, as its new executive chairman. Söderlund will focus on accelerating global strategy and leading the company's next phase of growth, working closely with CEO Junghun Lee. This move comes as Nexon aims to expand its presence in the live-service sector, building on recent successes like Dave the Diver and The Finals.
Warframe finally lands on Android and its next stop is Switch 2
Warframe has officially launched on Android devices worldwide, featuring full cross-play and cross-save functionality with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Developer Digital Extremes also confirmed a native version for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is planned for release, potentially in early 2026. The game continues to expand its reach as a leading live-service title.
Remake specialist Bluepoint Games, co-developer of God of War Ragnarok, shut down by Sony
Sony is shutting down Bluepoint Games, the studio known for remakes of Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus, with 70 employees losing their jobs. PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst cited an increasingly challenging industry environment with rising development costs and slowed growth as reasons for the closure. Bluepoint Games had recently co-developed God of War Ragnarok and was working on a cancelled live service title.
Sony shutters Bluepoint Games
Sony is shutting down Bluepoint Games, a studio known for remakes of Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus, along with co-development on God of War Ragnarok. The closure will result in approximately 70 layoffs. A Sony spokesperson confirmed the decision, citing a recent business review, and thanked the team for their contributions.
Payday 2 was outperforming Payday 3 towards the end of 2025
Starbreeze's Payday 2 significantly outperformed Payday 3 in net sales during the fourth quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, with Payday 2 generating SEK 14.8 million compared to Payday 3's SEK 8 million. While Payday 3 had higher full-year sales, its performance has declined since previous years, prompting Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson to emphasize a focus on consistent updates and community trust for the threequel.
Arc Raiders sees 30% player count drop as Marathon looms
Arc Raiders has experienced a significant drop in its player count on Steam, losing nearly a third of its active users in the weeks leading up to the launch of Bungie's rival shooter, Marathon. Despite initial success, daily active users have reportedly halved across all platforms. Embark Studios is planning updates to retain players, but faces a critical test as competition intensifies.
Highguard's high-profile mistakes should be a lesson for other developers | Opinion
The article analyzes the significant missteps made by Wildlight Entertainment with their hero shooter Highguard, including a muddled pitch, a risky shadow-drop strategy, and a poor launch state, leading to layoffs. It argues that while the game faced criticism, much of the vitriol was disproportionate and highlights the challenges of launching live service games in a competitive market, drawing parallels to the failure of Concord.
Romeo is a Dead Man Review: More Lynchian lunacy from one of gaming's most uncompromising studios
The review of Romeo is a Dead Man highlights its ultra-violent and stylish action, blending real-life miniatures, VHS, comic books, and 16-bit graphics with Unreal Engine set pieces. While drawing inspiration from David Lynch, the game offers a challenging action framework with some frustrating mechanics like button-mashing mini-games and opaque puzzles, alongside engaging combat and a variety of weapons. Despite some rough edges, its unique touches and boisterous action make it stand out.
Destiny 2: Shooter Looter Chaos and Companionship
This article reflects on the author's experiences with Destiny 2, highlighting its strengths in atmosphere, social interaction, and ambitious scope, while also critiquing its narrative gaps and loot system inconsistencies. It acknowledges Bungie's commitment to evolving the live-service game through various expansions and content updates.
