Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
Killzone Project is Early in Development at Guerrilla Games – Rumor
A new report suggests Sony has greenlit a new Killzone game, with Guerrilla Games reportedly working on it in its early stages. The project is believed to be a remake or remaster of an older title, possibly the original Killzone, with an external team like People Can Fly potentially involved. This Killzone project is said to be in development while Guerrilla Games also works on retooling its live-service Horizon project.
Mass Effect Team Can Make a Great Game if Left Alone, Says Former Cinematic Designer
Former Mass Effect cinematic designer Armando Troisi believes the current BioWare team can create a great new Mass Effect game if left to their own devices, citing the presence of original developers. He contrasts this with the challenges of the live-service era and corporate interference, expressing optimism for BioWare's ability to excel at narrative-driven RPGs. However, concerns are raised about Electronic Arts' financial situation and potential focus on live-service titles.
Ex-BioWare designer says doom and gloom about the next Mass Effect is overstated: 'I think that they can do…
Former BioWare designer Armando Troisi believes skepticism surrounding the next Mass Effect game is overstated, asserting that the studio excels at single-player, narrative-driven RPGs when left to their own devices. He suggests that the studio needs to return to its core formula, free from the pressures of live-service development and external stakeholders, to recapture its former glory.
BioWare doesn't need advice for Mass Effect 4, says veteran designer, as long as "people get out of the way"
Veteran designer Armando Troisi believes BioWare's current team, which includes many original developers, doesn't need outside advice for the next Mass Effect game. He emphasizes that allowing the creators to work without interference is key to producing the magic they are known for, particularly in single-player, narrative-driven RPGs.
As Wardogs blows past 200k Steam concurrents, its developers are prepared for the day 'hype dies down'
Wardogs developer Bulkhead is openly discussing the game's player counts, with its closed beta surpassing 200,000 concurrent players on Steam. CEO Joe Brammer acknowledges that hype will naturally die down, but expects the game to maintain a healthy player base and plans for future growth.
Mass Effect successor Exodus won’t let you bang the octopus party member
Archetype Entertainment's upcoming RPG Exodus, developed by former BioWare staff, will feature romance options similar to Mass Effect but will not allow players to romance an intelligent octopus character. The game's director stated that romance scenes will be tasteful and fade to black, unlike the more explicit scenes in Baldur's Gate 3. Meanwhile, updates on the next Mass Effect game remain scarce, with concerns about Electronic Arts' potential interference and monetization strategies impacting BioWare's development.
Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
In a sea of failed live service games, I'm shocked to see someone trying to make a MOBA
Developer Nirvanana is attempting to enter the challenging live service market with Project Zeta, a 4v4 multi-team tactical arena battler that blends MOBA and battle royale elements. Despite the high risk and the market's poor track record, Nirvanana is focusing on building a core community through continuous playtests and a clear message about the game's team-fight-centric design.
Arc Raiders' executive producer admits its developers 'couldn't keep pace with the players' and their need for content, but promises Frozen Trail as the answer
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admitted that Arc Raiders' development team couldn't keep pace with player demand for content, leading to player frustration. The studio is now focusing on its upcoming 'Frozen Trails' update in October, which aims to address these issues with a rank redesign, new arcs, and a new map.
The Last of Us Studio is Not Part of Season 3’s Production With HBO, Isn’t Done With the IP
Naughty Dog president Neil Druckmann confirmed the studio is not involved in the creative direction of HBO's The Last of Us Season 3, though they remain the stewards of the IP and have other projects in the works. The article also touches on the cancellation of Naughty Dog's ambitious live-service multiplayer game, The Last of Us Online, due to resource allocation concerns.
Sony makes twice as much money from you on PS5 compared to PS4
Sony is prioritizing monetizing existing PlayStation 5 owners over acquiring new ones, as the company makes significantly more revenue per user on the current generation console compared to the PlayStation 4. This strategy focuses on recurring revenue from services like PlayStation Plus and digital purchases, while physical game sales decline.
Arc Raiders Prioritized The Game And Its Devs’ Health. It Could Cost Them Dearly.
Embark Studios is shifting Arc Raiders to a less frequent, larger update model, prioritizing developer health over a constant content stream. This pivot, while potentially beneficial for the team, has led to player criticism and a significant drop in concurrent players, raising questions about the sustainability of healthier development practices in the competitive live-service market.
'That's how you actually end a live service' — this developer just shut down a free-to-play game by releasing an offline version with no microtransactions for fans to keep playing
Developer Grasshopper Manufacture has released an offline, single-player version of its live service game Let it Die for $19.99, removing all microtransactions. This move allows players to continue enjoying the game after its servers shut down, a decision praised by fans as a positive example of how to handle the end of a live service title.
Sony CEO says selling more PS5s isn't as important as monetizing the 125 million monthly PS Plus users now the…
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that aggressively selling PlayStation 5 consoles is no longer the priority, shifting focus to monetizing the existing user base of over 95 million consoles sold and 125 million monthly PlayStation Plus users. This strategic pivot aims to increase recurring revenue, a move the article contrasts with past Sony decisions and notes Microsoft is not currently positioned to capitalize on.
Empulse and Splitgate: Arena Reloaded are officially over as 1047 Games says it's probably done making arena…
1047 Games has officially ceased development on its PvP arena shooter Empulse and its predecessor, Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, due to insufficient revenue to cover operating costs. While the studio will continue to exist with a changed focus, both games will transition to peer-to-peer support on September 3rd. The original Splitgate debuted in 2019 and saw significant popularity.
Xbox CEO Says Making Halo Popular Again Is A Priority, But Franchise Co-Creator Questions If It’s Possible
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that reviving the Halo franchise is a priority, viewing it as a key part of Microsoft's portfolio with a long-term vision. However, Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto expressed skepticism about the feasibility and cost of making a "great Halo again," citing the immense budget and time required for modern AAA development.
I added player-seeking hit squads to GTA 5, though the billion other mods I have installed keep getting in their way
The author discusses installing the 'Ambient Hit Squads' mod for Grand Theft Auto 5, which dispatches armed NPCs to hunt the player. The mod's effectiveness is hampered by the numerous other mods installed, leading to humorous and chaotic scenarios, particularly with helicopter-based assassins.
Riot wants to keep taking "risks" with Valorant. That's why its still alive in 2026
Valorant has maintained its relevance in the competitive FPS landscape through consistent content updates, unique agent designs, and a strong esports presence. Riot Games' commitment to innovation and community fostering has allowed the game to thrive despite the launch of competitors like Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2. The game's blend of tactical shooter and hero shooter elements, coupled with its vibrant art style, continues to attract and retain players.
Reading the Meta: Which Skin Aesthetics Hold Community Favor Long-Term
This analysis explores the psychological design of virtual economies in live-service games, contrasting Blizzard's Overwatch 2 coin system with Grinding Gear Games' orb-based economy in Path of Exile. It argues that proprietary currencies reduce the 'pain of paying' and discusses how these principles have influenced other digital sectors like crypto and loyalty programs.
There's a rising demand for new, mid-size games at affordable prices - and 4Divinity believes China has the answer
Publisher 4Divinity sees significant opportunity in China's mid-size game development scene, noting a global demand for new intellectual property at affordable price points. Head of Global Publishing Phil Doust highlights the differences in marketing approaches between Western and Chinese audiences, and believes China can fill the gap left by the industry's trend towards large-scale franchises.
