Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
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Industry legend Warren Spector is retiring: 'I'm feeling like I've done what I set out to do'
Industry veteran Warren Spector, known for his work on immersive sims like Deus Ex and System Shock, has announced his retirement from game development after nearly 44 years. While he has mixed feelings and ideas for future projects, Spector feels he has accomplished his goals and is ready to pursue writing, lecturing, and consulting. He also cited changes in the industry and a desire to make way for new talent as reasons for his departure.
'Live-service is a red flag for us': Why one publisher is embracing an older kind of multiplayer hit: peer-to-peer, server browsers, and organic community
Tripwire Interactive is shifting away from the live-service model, viewing it as a 'red flag' for new projects, and instead focusing on games with peer-to-peer multiplayer and community server support, exemplified by their efforts to keep Deceive Inc playable indefinitely. Publishing director Bryan West stated that this approach prioritizes long-term player enjoyment and the company's reputation over short-term profits, citing the 'Valheim approach' as an ideal for niche multiplayer titles.
Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker says they won't stop until Rockstar and Take-Two apologize for 'anti-consumerism' and make a 'concrete commitment to do better'
A group or individual known as Cyberleek, responsible for the recent Grand Theft Auto 6 leak, claims their actions are motivated by a desire to combat 'anti-consumerism' in the gaming industry. They are demanding public apologies and concrete commitments to better practices from publishers, threatening further action if their demands are not met. This situation presents a significant headache for Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive as Grand Theft Auto 6 approaches its release.
Arc Raiders' map conditions 'will shift to fit specific regions' peak hours' as part of the latest…
Embark Studios has implemented Regional Map Condition Scheduling for Arc Raiders, adjusting map conditions to align with players' peak hours in different regions. This update aims to make in-game conditions more accessible to all players, regardless of their location or playing habits. The change is part of an effort to improve the live service game's player experience.
Games Inbox: What is the best The Simpsons video game?
Readers discuss their favorite Simpsons video games, with a desire for retro collections including titles like Hit & Run and the arcade game. Other topics include the longevity of Fortnite, the future of the Halo franchise, the implications of digital-only consoles, and the state of Blizzard's game development.
Toymaker Mattel launches a new game studio with a focus on Roblox and Fortnite that could signal a growing shift in…
Toy company Mattel has launched Mattel Game Studios, a new division focused on developing and operating interactive experiences inspired by its brands. The studio will create original games for platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, moving beyond its previous mobile-focused joint venture with NetEase. This strategic shift reflects the growing importance of virtual worlds and creator platforms in the gaming landscape.
A Call Of Duty Studio Could Work On Halo, Report Says
A report suggests that Microsoft enlisted Sledgehammer Games, a Call of Duty studio, to help develop a Halo multiplayer game. While an initial prototype was canceled, Microsoft is reportedly still exploring the proposition. This follows speculation that Activision Blizzard studios might contribute to the Halo franchise after Microsoft's acquisition.
'I honestly thought Highguard looked pretty good' — Gears of War creator laments internet culture where…
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski laments the current internet culture where players form negative opinions about games like Concord, Highguard, and Horizon Hunters Gathering before release, leading to "dogpiling." He notes that this trend makes it difficult for developers, as the public's minds are often made up before they even have a chance to play the game. Bleszinski believes it's no longer "cool to like something" and that games face intense scrutiny, impacting their reception.
Modern consumers crave "events", and the games industry needs to provide them | Opinion
Modern consumers increasingly seek 'events' rather than predictable sequels, leading to longer gaps between game releases and a shift away from annual franchises like Call of Duty. Games like Grand Theft Auto 6 exemplify this trend, achieving massive cultural impact due to their rarity and perceived event status, contrasting with the 'franchise fatigue' that affects over-saturated markets.
The Soapbox: Online games just can’t bet on success
This opinion piece argues that developers of live service games should stop betting on guaranteed success and instead focus on delivering complete, polished experiences at launch. The author uses examples like Iron Harvest, Anthem, and Wolcen to illustrate the pitfalls of unfinished stories and overly ambitious projects. The article suggests that a more realistic approach, prioritizing a solid core experience with plans for future expansion, is more sustainable and beneficial for both developers and players, citing Valheim as a positive example.
Stop Killing Games might never win according to expert: "Are consumer rights being violated? Well, they already…
An expert from Flux Digital Policy suggests the Stop Killing Games movement may not achieve its goals due to legal and industry standards. Celia Pontin argues that existing terms of service already govern situations like the shutdown of The Crew, and that current legislation makes it difficult to force publishers to maintain access to games indefinitely. While acknowledging the passion behind the movement, she highlights a mismatch between public desires and legal/technological realities.
Abandon single-player, move development to Saudi Arabia, "reduce labour"? Experts on what EA's huge buyout debt could really mean
Electronic Arts has been acquired through a leveraged buyout, co-owned by private equity firms and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, with approximately $20 billion borrowed from Morgan Stanley. This significant debt places pressure on EA to generate substantial interest payments, leading experts to predict major shifts including potential layoffs and a focus on profitable live service games over niche single-player titles. The acquisition's structure and Saudi Arabia's strategic investment goals suggest a potential reorientation of EA's development and business practices.
Amazon’s MMO run will be coming to end sooner than thought
Amazon Game Studios is ending its Western publishing operations for the MMOs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty. Smilegate will take over Lost Ark in early 2027, while FirstSpark Games/NCSoft will manage Throne and Liberty starting in Q4 2026. This marks a significant shift for Amazon's ambitions in the MMO publishing market, following the shutdown of New World and the cancellation of other projects.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 officially announced by Warner Bros. but there’s a catch
Warner Bros. Games has officially confirmed that a sequel to the successful action RPG Hogwarts Legacy is in development. While no release date or title has been revealed, the company stated in a shareholder letter that the second installment is part of an expanding pipeline expected to contribute significantly to profitability. Avalanche Software is likely returning as the developer.
"There is probably some end" to No Man's Sky, says Hello Games boss, but he'll probably come back 10 years later for a surprise update anyway
Hello Games co-founder Sean Murray discussed the future of No Man's Sky, stating that while it will eventually end, he could see himself working on it for another decade or even returning for surprise updates years later, similar to Quake. He also mentioned that the studio's next ambitious game, Light No Fire, is in active development, but No Man's Sky will continue to be supported as long as players are engaged.
Amazon to give live service operations of Lost Ark to Smilegate
Amazon is transferring the live service operations for the MMORPGs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty in Western territories to Smilegate, the games' developer and original publisher. This change will take effect in early 2027 for Lost Ark and Q4 2026 for Throne and Liberty, with no expected impact on player experience. Smilegate will assume full responsibility for managing these titles in North America and other Western regions.
"The world's becoming so bleak": How Soulframe hopes to escape Warframe's shadow, with a little insight from Elden Ring
Digital Extremes is developing Soulframe, a new fantasy RPG that aims to differentiate itself from their popular live service game, Warframe. While taking some inspiration from Elden Ring for its methodical melee combat, Soulframe focuses on a more hopeful and inspirational tone compared to the bleakness of the real world and Warframe's sci-fi setting. The studio is also experimenting with its live service model, aiming for larger, more impactful updates early in Soulframe's development.
Why Modern Casino Games Feel More Like Video Games | Invision Game Community
Modern casino games are increasingly adopting design principles from video games, particularly mobile and live-service titles. Features like progress bars, missions, unlockable content, and animated rewards are becoming common, aiming to enhance player engagement beyond traditional gameplay loops. This evolution is driven by a desire to create more intuitive and compelling experiences that align with contemporary gaming expectations, making casino platforms feel more like familiar gaming dashboards.
As Peak gets its final big update, developers Landfall and Aggro Crab explain why it isn't a "forever game"
Developers Landfall and Aggro Crab have released the final major update, 'The Final Ascent,' for their game Peak. This update introduces new biomes, items, and challenges, but the developers have stated Peak is not intended to be a 'forever game' and they wish to return to their separate projects. They emphasize a desire to deliver a finished experience rather than a constantly updated live-service title.
Blizzard’s Record Revenue Year Makes Diablo 5 a Matter of When, Not If
Blizzard Entertainment has achieved its third-best fiscal year for revenue, largely driven by Diablo 4 and Overwatch. The company, now part of Microsoft's Xbox division, is reportedly the top-performing studio. This financial success, coupled with continued support for Diablo 4 through expansions, suggests that a Diablo 5 is highly probable in the future, though an announcement is not expected for several years.
