Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
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University of Silicon Valley is offering gaming scholarships
The University of Silicon Valley is introducing new gaming scholarships, offering up to $15,000 annually to prospective students. These scholarships, divided into 'Legendary' and 'Mastery' tiers, recognize transferable skills like discipline and problem-solving developed through gaming achievements in titles such as Runescape, Dark Souls, and Beat Saber. The program aims to acknowledge completionists and has a history of supporting esports.
I’m giving up on modern gaming and I know I’m not the only one - Reader’s Feature
A long-time gamer expresses disillusionment with the modern gaming industry, citing the shift from complete, creative experiences to live service models, microtransactions, and endless monetization. The author feels current trends alienate veteran players and that younger generations are indoctrinated into a system that prioritizes profit over artistic integrity. This sentiment leads the author to abandon modern gaming in favor of retro titles and physical media.
Does anyone know how to drive this thing?
The article critiques the current state of the video game industry, highlighting a perceived lack of direction and a focus on short-term profits over sustainable development. It points to Sony's struggles with live-service games and Microsoft's costly acquisition spree and subsequent layoffs as examples of poor management. The author argues that this trend of layoffs and uncertainty is detrimental to game development and player experience, contrasting it with companies like Capcom and Larian that have maintained stability and achieved success.
Diablo IV continues its week-long battle with mythic item drop rate problems
Blizzard Entertainment is addressing ongoing player complaints regarding extremely low drop rates for mythic items and issues with crafting them in Diablo IV's latest season. Live service design director Dan Tanguay has outlined upcoming patches aimed at increasing mythic item drops from specific bosses and caches, and removing equip limits from mythic uniques.
GTA Online mimics reality by nerfing payouts after making everything cost more: 'Prices go up, paychecks go…
Rockstar Games has significantly nerfed payouts for heists in Grand Theft Auto Online, making it harder for players to earn in-game currency while property and vehicle prices remain high. This change, which includes reduced rewards for popular heists like the Diamond Casino and the new Kortz Center heist, has been met with community backlash. Rockstar has introduced weekly bonuses to compensate, but players feel these do not make up for the drastic reduction in earnings.
A NOTE FROM BETHESDA GAME STUDIOS
Bethesda Game Studios outlined its future plans, confirming ongoing development for Starfield, Fallout 5, and The Elder Scrolls VI using Creation Engine 3. The studio also announced remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, a new Fallout 76 expansion titled Raven Rock, and a new Fallout project with Obsidian Entertainment. Additionally, they highlighted the success of their Creations platform and the upcoming Fallout Shelter television series.
Closed game studio returns to un-live service its game with community servers before shutdown: 'We don't believe Deceive Inc. should quietly disappear'
Developer Sweet Bandits, despite closing its doors, is working with Tripwire Interactive to ensure Deceive Inc. remains playable indefinitely through community-hosted dedicated servers. This initiative includes rebuilding the game's backend for long-term sustainability and introducing a server browser. The update also aims to reduce technical barriers to modding, empowering the player community to maintain the game's future.
After Destiny 2's death, Warframe head's advice for anyone in live services is to "make a good game…
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford advises live-service game developers to focus on creating a good game, citing the recent closure of Destiny 2 as a cautionary tale. She emphasizes that despite developer efforts, business decisions can ultimately dictate a game's fate, a reality she faces daily. Ford highlights Digital Extremes' long-standing success with Warframe, attributing it to a strong internal team and a well-balanced free-to-play model.
Modern Warfare 4 lead isn't scared of the GTA 6 black hole: 'It’s a little head-to-head, that’s…
Infinity Ward's Mark Grigsby stated that the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is not intimidated by the impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6. He believes that competition from major titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Fortnite is healthy for the industry. Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled for a late October release, avoiding the typical November window to potentially sidestep direct competition.
PUBG Is Finally Fixing One Of Its Biggest New Player Hurdles
Krafton Inc. has released an update for PUBG: Battlegrounds aimed at improving the new player experience. The update introduces a revamped Basic Training mode, enhanced team communication features, and quality-of-life tweaks to existing modes and maps. These changes are intended to address a key hurdle in attracting new players to the long-running battle royale title.
Games Inbox: Will you be buying a PS5 to play GTA 6?
Readers discuss whether Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a system seller for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, given the current downturn in console sales and perceived lack of compelling exclusive titles. The conversation also touches on the decline of physical media, the importance of game preservation, and the future of digital distribution.
Palworld 1.0 Has Ensnared Millions – Here’s Why
Palworld's 1.0 release has seen a significant surge in players, reaching over 855,000 concurrent users on Steam shortly after launching out of early access. This success is attributed to its blend of survival crafting, open-world exploration, and a unique creature-collecting formula that differentiates it from competitors like Pokemon. The substantial content added in the 1.0 update, including new regions, Pals, and mechanics, has revitalized interest and drawn players back to the game.
MMO Business Roundup: Sony games discs, Monster Hunter Wilds’ price, and Ubisoft almost figures it out
This business roundup covers several key industry developments, including Sony facing antitrust scrutiny over its decision to cease physical game disc production in 2028. Ubisoft's latest financial report acknowledges that firing experienced developers can harm business, while Capcom announced a permanent price reduction for Monster Hunter Wilds, alongside new bundle offerings.
Ubisoft pivots to "selective model" to reduce reliance on individual game launches
Ubisoft is shifting to a more selective business model, reducing reliance on individual game launches and focusing on its back-catalog and live service offerings. This strategy aims to navigate a competitive market and ongoing organizational changes, including cost reduction programs and addressing team stability concerns. CEO Yves Guillemot described the past financial year as one of decisive action to build a more focused, efficient, and resilient organization.
Ubisoft says it's going a little quiet after Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced ahead of "significantly…
Ubisoft has announced a period of relative quiet following the release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, with a lighter slate of new games expected until fiscal year 2027-2028. The company anticipates a significant increase in its content pipeline for major brands like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Ghost Recon in the following years, alongside an acceleration of its live service operations.
Destiny 2 Return or Retire Guide 2026 | TAG
This guide helps lapsed Destiny 2 players decide whether to return or retire permanently in 2026, considering the game's changes since late 2024. It advises that retirement is often the best choice for adults with limited time, unless they still love the gunplay, have a dedicated crew, and can commit 8+ hours per week. The article details changes like the episode model, player base decline, and content sunsetting, offering a structured plan for those who choose to return and alternatives for those who don't.
Palworld barges Dota 2 aside as PC player counts skyrocket following the game's 1.0 release
Palworld has seen a significant surge in player counts following its 1.0 release on PC and consoles, reaching over 489,000 concurrent players on Steam. This impressive relaunch figure places it above Dota 2 and highlights the success of the survival-crafting game, despite not reaching its early access peak. The game is available on PC and consoles, with sales boosted by a limited-time discount.
JUNEiNTER Unveils the LCP Game Revenue Estimation Model — Special Event for F2P Game Developers Launches Alongside the Announcement
JUNEiNTER has unveiled its "LCP Model," a new system designed to estimate the future revenue of live-service games, particularly those using Free-to-Play monetization. The company is also hosting a special event for PC and mobile F2P game developers to mark the model's launch, offering potential benefits to eligible participants.
Elden Ring Nightreign for Weekend Players | TAG
Elden Ring Nightreign is a 2025 multiplayer extraction-style spinoff from FromSoftware, designed for shorter, contained 40-45 minute rounds. This guide offers strategies for weekend-only players, emphasizing its time-respectful design with no daily login pressure and run-based progression. It details character roles, solo vs. co-op play, and how Nightreign differs from the main Elden Ring game, making it a viable option for busy adults.
Former PlayStation Executive Says Single-Player, Narrative-Driven Games “Sustain” the Business
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment America president Shawn Layden believes that single-player, narrative-driven games are essential for sustaining the gaming business. He argues that these immersive experiences are more fundamental to the industry's success than multiplayer-focused titles. Layden highlighted upcoming PlayStation titles like Marvel's Wolverine, God of War Laufey, and Intergalactic as examples of this continued investment.
