Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
Sony Reveals $766m Bungie Writedown in Latest Financial Results
Sony reported a significant $766 million write-down related to its acquisition of Bungie in its fiscal year 2025 results. Despite the financial loss, Sony plans to continue supporting Bungie's live-service title Marathon, citing strong user engagement metrics. The company anticipates a drop in hardware sales for the upcoming fiscal year but expects an increase in first-party game sales, including upcoming titles like Saros and Marvel's Wolverine.
Bungie’s value keeps on dropping in latest Sony financials
Sony reported significant impairment losses of approximately $565 million USD in the last quarter related to its acquisition of Bungie, bringing the total annual loss to around $765 million USD. This financial downturn coincides with declining player counts for Destiny 2 and underperformance of the newly released Marathon, as well as substantial layoffs at Bungie since its acquisition.
Bungie Was a $765 Million Thorn in Sony's Side in 2025
Sony's fiscal year 2025 financial results reveal a significant $765 million impairment loss attributed to Bungie, impacting PlayStation's operating income. Despite this, Sony's gaming business still saw a 12% profit increase year-on-year. The article suggests that Bungie's acquisition and the development of Marathon have been costly and problematic for Sony.
2K lays off staff at 31st Union, studio behind Project Ethos
2K has laid off staff from its 31st Union studio, which was developing the live-service hero shooter Project Ethos. Studio head Ben Brinkman cited the need to work more quickly and nimbly as the reason for scaling back the team. This follows earlier layoffs and a change in leadership at the studio, with Project Ethos reportedly undergoing a visual and directional overhaul.
Sony Reports $765 Million Impairment Losses From Bungie in Latest Earnings Report
Sony reported $765 million in impairment losses related to its acquisition of Bungie for the fiscal year, despite a 12 percent increase in overall revenue. The company forecasts a 30 percent revenue increase next year, partly due to the absence of these impairment losses. Bungie's latest title, Marathon, has seen mixed sales performance across platforms, with PC being the dominant platform, followed by PlayStation 5.
Crimson Desert Lacks Roadmap Because Pearl Abyss Isn’t “Baking in Assumptions” About Players’ Wants
Pearl Abyss's marketing director, Will Powers, explained that Crimson Desert lacks a content roadmap because the company prioritizes iterating on the game in real-time based on player feedback. This approach treats the single-player experience as a live-service title, allowing for flexibility and avoiding assumptions about player desires. The studio emphasizes that good ideas can come from anywhere, contrasting with more ego-driven development practices.
Helldivers 2 hits mostly negative on Steam as player frustrations grow: ‘You had lightning in a bottle and decided to pry the lid off yourself’
Helldivers 2 has fallen to 'mostly negative' reviews on Steam due to growing player frustration with Arrowhead Game Studios' handling of the live-service game. Issues include the addition of paid Warbonds, unaddressed player requests for features like ship modules and endgame content, and perceived imbalances in recent patches. These frustrations have led to a significant review bombing campaign on Valve's storefront.
GTA 6’s budget isn't $2,000,000,000 but it's three times more than most games
Industry analysts estimate Grand Theft Auto 6's development budget to be between $1 billion and $1.5 billion, significantly less than previous rumors but still making it the most expensive game ever made. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick declined to comment on the specific budget but acknowledged it was costly. This high cost is attributed to the game's advanced graphics and its role as a successor to the highly successful Grand Theft Auto 5.
ESA Says Bill Pushing For Offline Versions Of Live-Service Games Would Hurt Developers
The Entertainment Software Association is opposing California Assembly Bill 1921, which would require developers of live-service games to provide advance notice of server shutdowns, offer refunds, and potentially make games playable offline. The ESA argues this legislation would divert resources from creating new content and doesn't reflect the realities of modern game development.
Helldivers 2's recent Steam reviews drop to Mostly Negative as players accuse Arrowhead of favoring new Warbonds over fixing issues: "Making the game unbearable"
Helldivers 2's recent Steam reviews have fallen to Mostly Negative as players accuse developer Arrowhead Game Studios of prioritizing new Warbonds over fixing existing bugs and performance issues. Players express frustration with the focus on paid content and the perceived neglect of core game functionality, leading to a significant spike in negative feedback.
Japanese Devs Think It May Be Impossible for Them to Make a Game Like NTE on PS5
Japanese game developers are reportedly finding it impossible to replicate the success of Chinese-developed open-world gacha games like NTE on PlayStation 5. This is attributed to factors such as massive resource requirements, stricter employment laws, and a cultural difference in game design philosophy, with Japan traditionally focusing on finished, one-time purchase titles.
Games Inbox: Is the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake rumour true?
Readers discuss rumors of a remake for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, drawing parallels to a potential Star Fox remake. Concerns are raised about Nintendo's communication and the visual style of remakes, while also touching on the perceived decline of the PlayStation 4 and the business practices of publishers.
I played Marathon and its 1994 predecessor to see how Bungie has evolved over the years
This article compares the original 1994 first-person shooter Marathon with its modern multiplayer reboot, highlighting how both games, despite fundamental differences, evoke a similar sense of dread through their respective design philosophies. While the classic game relies on tight level design and survival mechanics, the new Marathon uses extraction shooter elements and PvP to create tension. Bungie's evolution from story-driven single-player games to live-service titles is also discussed as a key factor in their current creative direction.
Why Instant Feedback Keeps Players Engaged
Modern games prioritize instant feedback loops, where actions trigger immediate visual and auditory responses, creating a seamless and engaging experience. This real-time responsiveness, crucial in competitive multiplayer and live service titles, has become a standard expectation across digital interactions, enhancing player immersion and reducing friction between intention and outcome.
EVE Online studio CCP Games goes independent as Fenris Creations
CCP Games, the developer of EVE Online, has been sold by Pearl Abyss to its management team for $120 million and rebranded as Fenris Creations. The studio will operate independently, with CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson assuring no layoffs. Fenris Creations has also partnered with Google DeepMind for AI research using EVE Online as a testbed.
Eve Online Developer CCP Games Rebrands to Fenris Creations
CCP Games has rebranded to Fenris Creations and partnered with Google DeepMind to explore AI-driven gameplay experiences in its persistent live games, including Eve Online. The company, which recently underwent a management buyout from Pearl Abyss, will continue its day-to-day operations unchanged with a focus on long-running virtual worlds and strategic decision-making.
Studio Behind EVE Online Goes Independent, Rebrands as Fenris Creations, Enters Research Partnership with Google DeepMind
The company formerly known as CCP Games has rebranded as Fenris Creations and is now an independent entity following its acquisition from Pearl Abyss for $120 million. Fenris Creations has also entered a research partnership with Google DeepMind to advance AI research using EVE Online as a testbed. The transition involves no restructuring or layoffs, with studios in Reykjavík, London, and Shanghai remaining operational.
Remedy vows to keep maintenance mode shooter FBC: Firebreak online and playable
Remedy Entertainment has confirmed that FBC: Firebreak, a co-op shooter set in the Control universe, will remain online and playable despite entering maintenance mode after its last major update in March. The company stated that server upkeep costs are not significant, ensuring the game's continued availability on PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, and for purchase on PC and consoles.
CCP Games rebrands to Fenris Creations following split from Pearl Abyss
CCP Games has rebranded to Fenris Creations following its split from former parent company Pearl Abyss, in a transaction valued at $120 million USD. The studio also announced a research partnership with Google DeepMind to advance artificial intelligence in complex systems, using EVE Online as a testbed. Fenris Creations will continue to operate independently with its existing leadership and development plans for EVE Online and upcoming titles.
Recent Arc Raiders Steam reviews hit 'mixed' for the first time since launch, and I can see why
Arc Raiders' Steam reviews have shifted to 'mixed' following the Riven Tides update, a stark contrast to its 'overwhelmingly positive' reception at launch. Players are expressing frustration with the new map and significant balancing issues, particularly concerning weapon degradation and constant weapon nerfs. The developers have acknowledged the feedback and are exploring adjustments to improve the player experience.
