Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
Am I growing out of live service games?
The author reflects on growing out of live service games, finding it increasingly difficult to re-engage with titles like Marvel Snap and Valorant after breaks due to constant updates and meta shifts. While acknowledging the appeal of thriving game ecosystems, the author now prefers more static multiplayer experiences like Counter-Strike 2.
"Single-player, narrative-driven gaming is here to stay," ex-PlayStation boss says: "It's how we built this business. That's what sustains it"
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden asserts that single-player, narrative-driven gaming is essential for the industry's sustainability, citing PlayStation's most successful titles. While acknowledging the place for live-service games like Helldivers 2, he points to failures like Concord and Destiny 2's decline as cautionary tales.
Battle Pass Rule for Adult Gamers 2026 | TAG
This article provides a guide for adult gamers on managing battle passes in live service games, emphasizing that most players cannot realistically complete them due to time constraints. It advises against purchasing passes unless completion is guaranteed, discusses the psychological tactics used in their design, and offers strategies for engaging with games without the pressure of battle pass progression.
Unkillable: inside Dead by Daylight's incredible decade of scares
Dead by Daylight celebrates its tenth anniversary, reflecting on its journey from a niche indie horror game to a major live-service title. Creative Director Dave Richard and Executive Producer José Ramos discuss the game's growth, its unique community, and future updates including a visual overhaul and new content like Art the Clown from Terrifier. Despite past challenges with bugs and system stability, Behaviour Interactive remains committed to improving the player experience and expanding the Dead by Daylight universe.
Palworld in 30-Minute Sessions 2026 | TAG
This guide offers strategies for playing Palworld in 30-minute sessions, making it accessible for busy adults. It details how solo play with manual saving and small objective loops can accommodate short playtimes, while multiplayer requires longer commitments. The article also highlights design aspects that support brief sessions, such as fast travel and base automation, and contrasts them with elements that can extend playtime.
Dragon Age creator reckons the series is dead following Veilguard flop, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't have another go at it if given the chance
Dragon Age creator David Gaider believes the series is likely dead following the poor commercial performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Despite no longer being at BioWare, Gaider expressed interest in returning to the franchise to take it in a darker, more provocative direction if given the chance. He also commented on BioWare's current focus on Mass Effect 5 and the challenges facing game development under Electronic Arts.
After 16 years of exploring the final frontier, Star Trek Online devs are 'trying new things' and 'trying to push the boundaries' of what they can achieve
Star Trek Online is entering a new era with the return of former CEO Jack Emmert and Cryptic Studios' separation from Embracer. The recent 'Undiscovered' update signifies a shift towards trying new things, including remaking old arcs and revamping sector space encounters, aiming to make the game feel more alive and engaging for its players.
5 Live Service Games to Quit in 2026 | TAG
This article provides a framework for players to quit live service games they no longer enjoy, arguing that obligation and FOMO should not dictate continued play. It identifies five specific games—Destiny 2, Diablo 4 seasonal, Warframe, Lost Ark, and older MMOs—as candidates for quitting in 2026, and offers a step-by-step guide to breaking free from the cycle of retention-engineered gameplay.
Mario Kart Tour will shut down this year
Nintendo has announced that Mario Kart Tour will cease operations on September 29, 2026, seven years after its initial release. Sales of the game's premium currency, Rubies, have been discontinued, and new subscriptions for the Gold Pass have stopped. The company thanked players for their support and is considering an offline version similar to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Has Already Sold Over 300,000 Copies on Steam – Rumor
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has reportedly sold over 300,000 copies on Steam since its release, generating nearly $14 million. Analyst Rhys Elliot estimates the remake has already outsold Skull & Bones' entire Steam lifetime run and is on track to surpass Assassin's Creed Shadows' Steam sales. The success is attributed to nostalgia, a lower price point than the industry standard $70, and Ubisoft's need for a financially stable title following the underperformance of its live service games.
Mario Kart Tour Is Getting Off Course, Announces EOS After 7 Years
Nintendo has announced the end of service for its mobile game Mario Kart Tour, which launched in September 2019. The game will officially shut down on September 29th, after seven years of operation. Sales of premium currency have been suspended, and automatic Gold Pass renewals are off, with players receiving subscription benefits for the remaining time.
David Gaider will never play Dragon Age: The Veilguard because he'd be 'wincing' the whole time: 'EA really did a number on them in terms of setting them up to fail'
Former BioWare lead writer David Gaider expressed that he would never play Dragon Age: The Veilguard, feeling that publisher Electronic Arts set the studio up for failure. Gaider, who considers the Dragon Age series his 'baby,' cited behind-the-scenes issues and EA's business practices as reasons for the game's struggles. He also touched upon his own studio's challenges with its game Stray Gods launching near Baldur's Gate 3.
Phasmophobia fans are downgrading their game versions, but it may get you banned
Some Phasmophobia players are downgrading their game versions to access older patches, such as the one introducing Nell's Diner, to avoid recent updates like the character overhaul. However, Kinetic Games warns that modifying game files, even to revert to older versions, carries the risk of a multiplayer ban. Despite a recent dip from its historically overwhelmingly positive rating, Phasmophobia's reviews have trended positively in June and July, indicating improvements.
Path of Exile 2 for Busy Adults | TAG
This guide offers strategies for busy adults to engage with Path of Exile 2, a demanding ARPG with frequent league resets. It recommends focusing on the campaign and standard league progression, skipping competitive elements like ladder climbing and complex trade optimization. The article suggests a minimum time commitment of 6-8 hours per week for a satisfying experience and outlines realistic paths for new and returning players, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing core skill gems and basic atlas progression.
Safe Gaming Guide for Adults: Anti-Toxicity in 2026 | TAG
This guide offers strategies for adult gamers to combat online toxicity and improve their gaming experience. It introduces TAG's safety score for rating games based on community health and provides platform-specific tools for managing communication and blocking players. The article emphasizes the benefits of private lobbies, playing with trusted friends, and seeking out positive communities to mitigate the negative impacts of toxic online environments.
One Final Fantasy Game Is Shutting Down, But You’ve Still Got Time To Play
Square Enix has announced that the free-to-play mobile and PC title Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis will shut down on October 6th. The game, which recreates events from Final Fantasy VII and its spin-offs while adding new story elements, has ceased real-money transactions. Producer Shoichi Ishikawa cited difficulties in balancing development costs with player demand for gear and maintaining visual quality.
Love and Deepspace Valko Controversy Explained – Geeky Sweetie
The mobile romance game Love and Deepspace faced significant backlash after revealing a new love interest, Valko, who was subsequently canceled by developers Infold/Papergames. This controversy escalated beyond the game's fandom due to player concerns about character design, story integration, and company communication, leading to global protests and discussions about the future of content in live-service games.
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis End-of-Service Announced for October 6th
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis will cease service on October 6th, with in-game purchases already disabled. Planned events will continue until the shutdown. The company will delete player data post-service, and refunds for unused currency will be available for players in Taiwan. Originally launched in September 2023 for mobile and December 2023 for PC, the game aimed to retell iconic moments from the Final Fantasy 7 saga.
Arc Raiders’ Matchmaking Update Gives Players What They’ve Always Wanted
Arc Raiders has received a significant matchmaking update, introducing separate queues for solo, duo, and trio play to better cater to player preferences. This change addresses a long-standing player request for more control over their matchmaking experience. Additionally, a crossover event with Embark's other live-service game, The Finals, offers players free cosmetic items for completing challenges in either game.
Xbox has lost five studios – so who is left to make new video games?
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 staff members and leading to five studios divesting from the company. Xbox leadership aims to refocus on core franchises and expand its daily audience to over a billion people through its services. The article details the remaining studios, their current projects, and their future prospects under this new strategy.
