Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
As Arc Raiders sees Steam player count surge to 185,000 for the first time in 7 months, Embark dev knows it…
Arc Raiders has experienced a significant surge in its Steam player count, reaching 185,443 concurrent players following the release of its "Frozen Trail" update and a recent free trial. Despite this resurgence, an Embark Studios developer acknowledges that this increase in player engagement for the live service shooter is likely temporary.
Steam hits new all-time high of over 43 million concurrent users just 7 months after its last record as Wardogs and…
Steam, Valve's digital storefront, has achieved a new all-time record with over 43 million concurrent users in October 2026, surpassing its previous record from March of the same year. This growth is attributed to the diverse game library, including live-service titles like Wardogs and Deadlock, and the increasing popularity of PC gaming.
Gran Turismo 7 is Still Getting Content Because “The User Base Continues to Grow,” Says Producer
Gran Turismo 7 continues to receive significant content updates, including the upcoming Spec IV update, due to its growing and active user base, according to producer Kazunori Yamauchi. The game has exceeded sales expectations, with regular updates contributing to its sustained success and impressive sales figures.
7 dead PlayStation franchises Sony should bring back for PS6 - Reader's Feature
A reader suggests several dormant PlayStation franchises that Sony Interactive Entertainment should consider reviving for the PlayStation 6. The list includes Jak And Daxter, Resistance, MotorStorm, WipEout, PaRappa The Rapper, Gravity Rush, and Warhawk, with potential developers also proposed for each.
The EU Is Coming For Gaming’s Most Manipulative Monetization Tactics
European consumer protection authorities are taking action against 10 video game companies, including Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft, for employing "dark patterns" and manipulative monetization tactics. These practices, such as selling in-game currency in fixed bundles that force overspending and obscuring real-world costs, are accused of putting minors and vulnerable individuals at risk of gaming addiction. Some games like Fortnite are beginning to offer exact currency purchases, but many still rely on exploitative bundle deals.
Games Inbox: Which 2026 video game has the best melee combat?
Readers discuss which upcoming games will feature the best melee combat, with Onimusha: Way Of The Sword and Nioh 3 being highlighted. The discussion also touches on the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker, issues with Amazon's game delivery, the pricing of live service cosmetics, and the potential for dormant game franchises to be revived.
Arc Raiders hasn't had player counts like this in months: Steam flies past 125,000 amid Frozen Trail, 50% discount,…
Arc Raiders has seen a significant surge in player count on Steam, reaching a 24-hour peak of over 131,000 concurrent players following the launch of its 'Frozen Trail' update and a 50% discount. Developer Embark Studios views the update as a relaunch, with the game also being available for free until October 12.
Arc Raiders’ Big Update Has It Surging To Numbers It Hasn’t Seen In Months
Arc Raiders has seen a significant surge in players and sales following a major update from Embark Studios. The extraction shooter is now among Steam's best-selling and most-played games, reaching over 100,000 concurrent players, a number not seen since May. This success follows Embark's shift to a semi-annual update cadence, aiming for larger, more impactful releases.
Riot Games announces a final hurrah for its ill-fated fighting game 2XKO, with a surprise character joining the roster this month
Riot Games has released a final update for its fighting game 2XKO, which is being sunsetted later this year. The update introduces Samira as the 16th character and also features a surprise reveal of Sett, a character previously requested by fans. Despite the game's short lifespan and eventual discontinuation due to low player retention, it will remain playable.
Ex-PlayStation lead says too many devs are trying to make "the thing that they think is just going to hit"…
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden believes many AAA developers are too focused on creating guaranteed hits rather than pursuing unique ideas, leading to safe, formulaic games. He criticizes the trend of chasing 'Fortnite money' with failed live service attempts and suggests that while artistic vision needs guidance, publishers are increasingly risk-averse.
‘It’s Difficult To Justify the Investment’ – How MMORPGs Built (and Lost) the Live-Service Throne
This article discusses how MMORPGs like World of Warcraft and EverQuest pioneered the live-service game model. It explores how these games built the foundation for the industry's current obsession with never-ending online experiences, while also touching on how this model has evolved and sometimes faltered.
‘It’s Almost Not Worth Being Number Two’ – How Live-Service Turned Games Into a Battle Royale for the Top Spot
The live-service trend, while producing some successful games, has created a highly competitive environment that stifles developer creativity. This intense focus on achieving top-tier success has turned game development into a battle royale for market dominance.
‘Enough Games Have Been Cancelled and Shut Down. That Betrayal Has Ramifications’ – Is It the Beginning of the End for Live-Service Games?
The article questions the sustainability of live-service games, citing a history of cancelled projects and dwindling player bases as evidence of a market in decline. It suggests that the frequent shutdowns of these 'forever games' may indicate the beginning of the end for the model.
Arc Raiders lead says Steam player count discourse doesn't feel great, but Embark "accepted the fact that we…
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal acknowledges that discussions around Arc Raiders' declining Steam player count are difficult, but the studio accepted this outcome as part of their strategy to re-engage players with content like the Frozen Trail update. The team is shifting to a six-month content update cadence to improve developer health and focus on quality over quantity.
Arc Raiders lead says it's good to "take a break and play some other games" if you're out of…
Embark Studios executive producer Aleksander Grøndal suggests players take breaks from live service games like Arc Raiders, advocating for a healthier relationship with the genre. He believes this approach benefits both players and the industry, allowing players to enjoy other titles and return to Arc Raiders for substantial content updates like the upcoming Frozen Trail.
Skate has been de-live serviced by ReSkate, a modding platform downloaded 350,000 times—devs say they will comply…
A fan-made modding platform called ReSkate has been released for the live service game Skate, allowing for offline play, custom servers, and mods. The platform has been downloaded over 350,000 times, with its creators stating they will comply with any cease and desist orders from Electronic Arts. The existence of ReSkate highlights player dissatisfaction with Skate's online-only ecosystem and premium cosmetics.
Naughty Dog "exists to sell Sony hardware," former Last of Us and Uncharted dev says, so it doesn't have to be as "profit-driven as other companies"
A former Naughty Dog VFX artist suggests the studio exists primarily to sell PlayStation hardware, allowing it to focus on high-quality single-player games rather than being purely profit-driven. This strategy contrasts with the industry trend towards live-service titles, with Sony leveraging exclusive first-party games to boost console sales.
Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka dismisses the apparent inevitability of remakes, saying "you’re essentially providing the same experience again"
Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka has expressed reservations about the prevalence of remakes and remasters in the gaming industry, arguing they offer little originality and still incur high development costs. While acknowledging fan requests for such titles, he believes the focus should remain on creating new experiences rather than re-releasing old ones.
Uncharted Actor is “110 Percent” Prepared to Return for New Entry
Nolan North, the voice actor for Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series, has expressed strong enthusiasm for returning to the franchise for a new entry. While he has not heard any official news, North stated he is "110 percent" prepared and believes a new Uncharted game could be massive, depending on Sony Interactive Entertainment's interest.
Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring are "North Stars" for Tencent as the company tries to build the next Larian or FromSoftware: "That is the long-term commitment"
Tencent aims to replicate the success of studios like Larian and FromSoftware by focusing on genre leadership and long-term developer support, citing Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring as benchmarks. VP Yong-yi Zhu emphasized the company's commitment to nurturing talent and iterating on genres over multiple titles, contrasting this with their own portfolio of evergreen live service games.
