Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
Wolverine review roundup: Frankly, we're starting to feel a little better about the whole 'PlayStation 5…
Reviews for Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine indicate that while the game has strong character work and moments of satisfying combat, it ultimately falls short of expectations for a major PlayStation 5 exclusive. Critics noted repetitive gameplay and a lack of depth, with some calling it a disappointment for the platform.
New FPS Wardogs makes Steam explode with 340,000 peak players, then explodes on Steam after the servers break and…
The new first-person shooter Wardogs experienced massive player queues and server issues upon entering early access, leading to significant review-bombing on Steam. Despite reaching a peak of over 340,000 concurrent players, many customers expressed frustration with the inability to play the game, though developer Bulkhead and publisher Team 17 deny preferential treatment for streamers.
Goodwill Hunting: Consoles’ brand value and loyalty is being tested | Opinion
The article argues that Sony and Microsoft will need significant customer goodwill to justify the high prices of their upcoming next-generation consoles. Sony's decision to drop Hideo Kojima's game Physint, which was then picked up by Xbox, is presented as a damaging blow to their goodwill reserves, especially in light of past missteps like the pivot to live service games and the cancellation of Concord.
Death Stranding games broke even "but not by much," analyst says, which may explain why Sony axed Physint despite it being Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear successor
Analysts suggest that Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to cancel Hideo Kojima's next project, Physint, may be linked to the Death Stranding series only breaking even on its substantial budget. While the first game sold well, Death Stranding 2 has underperformed, leading to a low overall return on investment for the franchise. This financial caution, coupled with other recent underperforming titles and canceled live service projects, indicates a shift in Sony's publishing strategy.
PS5 games line-up in shambles as Wolverine disappoints and Fairgames reappears
Sony Interactive Entertainment is facing criticism for its PlayStation 5 game lineup, with Marvel's Wolverine receiving lukewarm reviews and the live service game Fairgames appearing generic. The company's strategy has led to studio closures and a perceived decline in quality first-party titles, contrasting with its strong console sales.
Games Inbox: Is the PlayStation brand tarnished by Sony’s actions?
Readers express frustration with Sony Interactive Entertainment's recent actions, including pulling funding from Hideo Kojima's new game and the lukewarm reception of Marvel's Wolverine. Concerns are raised about Sony's focus on live service games and perceived arrogance, leading some to consider switching to Nintendo platforms. The article also touches on the persistent issue of scalping for popular game consoles and accessories.
Sony is Ending PlayStation Discs Despite Commercial Success to “Control” The Market, says Analyst
An analyst suggests Sony is ending PlayStation disc production in January 2028 to control the market and prioritize digital revenue, despite strong commercial success from physical releases like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Ghost of Yōtei. While live-service games like Helldivers 2 show less reliance on physical sales, Sony aims to capture more revenue and potentially influence the market ahead of a rumored digital-only PlayStation 6 handheld.
Sony has topped a generational run of self-owns: abandoning Hideo Kojima's next Metal Gear right as Marvel's…
Sony Interactive Entertainment is facing criticism for its strategic decisions during the PlayStation 5 generation, including abandoning Hideo Kojima's new game 'Physint' to be published by Xbox and the middling reception of Insomniac Games' 'Marvel's Wolverine'. The article argues that Sony's focus on live service games has depleted its first-party development resources and led to a lack of system-selling titles, resulting in a negative overall business strategy.
Newzoo: Most established live-service and evergreen titles were flat or down year over year in H1 2026
Newzoo reports that most live-service and evergreen games saw flat or declining year-over-year performance in the first half of 2026, with growth limited to a few titles. Digital revenues declined in Western markets, attributed to free-to-play and annualised premium weakness. Console player growth is projected to increase to 3% in 2026, largely driven by the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Hideo Kojima spy action game Physint switches publishing allegiance from PlayStation to Xbox, probably increasing the chances it'll hit PC
Hideo Kojima's upcoming action espionage game, Physint, has switched publishers from PlayStation to Xbox. PlayStation initially informed Kojima Productions they planned to cancel the project, leading to a three-month search for a new partner. Xbox will now publish Physint, increasing the likelihood of a PC release, though the move also brings awareness to ongoing boycotts against Microsoft.
Palworld lead worries Steam early access has "lost its meaning": players treat it like "a normal game" and the program has been "abused for a lot of reasons"
John Buckley, communications and publishing lead for Palworld developer Pocketpair, expresses concern that Steam's Early Access program has lost its original meaning. He believes players now treat Early Access games like finished products, leading to unrealistic expectations and a decline in meaningful feedback, which he feels has been "abused for a lot of reasons."
Volatility and Difficulty Curves: What Game Designers Borrow From Slot Maths
This article analyzes how game designers borrow mathematical principles from slot machines, particularly variable ratio reinforcement schedules and near-miss mechanics, to create engaging player loops. It explains how unpredictable rewards and carefully tuned difficulty curves, akin to slot volatility, keep players hooked by mimicking the psychological hooks found in gambling.
Why Casual Gamers Are Drawn to Short, Reward-Heavy Games
This article analyzes the psychological design behind virtual currencies in games like Overwatch 2 and Path of Exile, explaining how they reduce the 'pain of paying' and encourage spending. It contrasts Blizzard's fixed-rate currency with Grinding Gear Games' player-driven orb economy, noting how these models influence player behavior and can extend beyond gaming into other digital products.
"20 players is the sweet spot": Guild Wars 3's action game combat is a first for MMOs, but it doesn't work at traditional raid scale
ArenaNet is developing Guild Wars 3 with a focus on action game-like combat and fluid movement, drawing inspiration from titles like Prince of Persia and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This approach shifts away from traditional MMO raid scales, aiming for a 'sweet spot' of around 20 players for optimal combat experience. The developers are also incorporating lessons from live service games to make the MMO more approachable.
Capcom says it will focus on reviving dormant IPs after Onimusha: Way of the Sword's breakout launch
Capcom plans to revive dormant intellectual properties following the successful launch of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which sold over one million copies on its first day. The publisher aims to maximize corporate value by leveraging its back catalog. Meanwhile, Sega has canceled its ambitious "Super Game" live-service initiative due to high risks and operational challenges, though its president still sees business opportunities in the genre. Tencent, however, remains committed to live-service games, viewing them as a "holy grail."
Sega cancelled its "risky" Super Game project as it "would have to grow enormously to match the scale of the service"
Sega has cancelled its ambitious "Super Game" initiative, citing the project's excessive risk and the enormous scale of investment and operations required to match a live-service model. President and COO Shuji Utsumi stated that while the company still sees a business opportunity in live-service games, the current challenges made the Super Game project too risky to pursue. Sega continues to operate live-service titles and remains committed to the genre, unlike some other companies facing similar difficulties.
Riot co-founder doesn't think 2XKO was 'a mistake' but perhaps a tough sell: 'You're not just competing against games, you're competing against everything'
Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill discussed the decision to cease future development on the fighting game 2XKO, stating it was not a mistake but a difficult market to succeed in. He explained that the game struggled to gain sustainable momentum against the overwhelming competition for player attention and time, despite its quality and innovative features. Merrill affirmed that Riot Games remains committed to taking risks and developing new titles, including an unannounced MMO.
Low profile video games are proving massive hits and that bodes well
Recent AAA releases like Onimusha: Warlords and The Blood of Dawnwalker, despite not having the absolute highest budgets, have achieved significant success, selling over a million copies each shortly after launch. This trend suggests that confidently made games targeting specific demographics can thrive without relying solely on massive IPs or astronomical budgets, offering a positive outlook for the mid-tier game market.
Don't count on the rumoured StarCraft game being a Destiny-like, says Jason Schreier
According to reporter Jason Schreier, the rumored next StarCraft game is unlikely to be a Destiny-style live service shooter. Information from Jez Corden suggests it might be more akin to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 or Far Cry. Blizzard Entertainment is expected to reveal more at BlizzCon.
"Many a brave knight are going to die" - Riot Games head Marc Merrill speaks on in-development MMO after 2XKO's untimely demise
Riot Games CPO Marc Merrill discussed the studio's in-development MMO, calling it "the grail" despite the recent shutdown of its fighting game 2XKO. While Merrill expressed optimism and commitment to the ambitious project, public sentiment is skeptical due to 2XKO's short lifespan and other Riot Games live service titles facing similar fates.
