Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
Remedy’s latest financials aren’t too bad considering Firebreak flopped, which the CEO puts down to its ‘structurally more efficient budgets’
Remedy Entertainment reported first-quarter revenue of €13.1 million and an operating profit of €1 million, which is considered better than expected given the financial loss from FBC: Firebreak. CEO Jean-Charles Gaudechon highlighted the studio's efficient budgets and steady progress on development projects, with a focus on the upcoming Control Resonant.
Bungie Under Fire: Are Marathon Player Numbers Being Hidden After Launch? | Invision Game Community
Bungie is facing community backlash regarding the launch of its multiplayer extraction shooter, Marathon, with accusations of hiding player numbers. The article clarifies that discussions about player counts are being moderated on Reddit and that player data remains publicly accessible via platforms like SteamDB. A separate incident involving a chat filter censoring a competing game's name was also addressed.
"We want to ensure gamers are part of those conversations": Stop Killing Games launch player advocacy group to lobby the UK government
The Stop Killing Games campaign has launched a new UK advocacy group called Gamers' Voice to lobby the UK government on issues such as game preservation, live-service shutdowns, and online safety. The organization aims to ensure that gamers' perspectives are included in policy discussions affecting digital ownership and access to games. Gamers' Voice has already begun engaging with parliamentarians and aims to represent player interests in the UK.
FBC: Firebreak Is Not Shutting Down, Remedy Says
Remedy Entertainment has confirmed that FBC: Firebreak will remain playable online despite the company ceasing further content updates and entering maintenance mode. The studio stated that infrastructure costs will be minimal, ensuring the game remains accessible on PC, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation Plus. This decision comes as Remedy focuses on upcoming projects like Control Resonant and remakes of Max Payne 1 and 2.
Horizon Hunters Gathering’s Next Playtest Scheduled for May, New Hunters and Region Revealed
Guerrilla Games has announced a new closed playtest for Horizon Hunters Gathering, scheduled from May 22nd to 25th on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. This playtest will introduce two new playable Hunters, Ensa and Shadow, a new region called Breakers’ Bounty, and additional campaign content. The game is still in development with no release date announced.
"If people are saying 'dead game,' that means our game is alive:" how Apex Legends is winning back players
Respawn Entertainment developers Evan Nikolich and Chris Cleroux discuss how Apex Legends has revitalized its player base, reaching its highest count in 18 months. They attribute the success to increased responsiveness to community feedback, internal workflow changes, and upcoming features like new Legends and matchmaking adjustments. The developers believe the 'dead game' label indicates ongoing player engagement rather than decline.
Assassin’s Creed Invictus Playtester Find The Game Awful
Recent leaks suggest that playtesters found the upcoming multiplayer game Assassin's Creed Invictus to be in poor condition, with one report describing it as "awful." The game, which is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, has reportedly faced delays and may be pushed back from its initial 2025 release window. This follows a trend of live service games failing to meet expectations, raising questions about Assassin's Creed Invictus's future.
Call Of Duty Patch Notes Are Longer Than The Entire US Constitution
The patch notes for Call of Duty's recent Season 3 Reloaded update for Black Ops 7 and Warzone have become exceptionally long, exceeding the word count of historical documents like the US Constitution and Magna Carta. This article compares the current length of patch notes to those from older Call of Duty titles, highlighting the significant growth in content and complexity of the live-service game.
Last Flag Ending New Content Updates Amid Low Player Numbers
Night Street Games' third-person shooter Last Flag will not receive new content beyond its planned updates due to low player numbers. The developers are shifting focus to replayability and community support, with new content including a character, map, mode, cosmetics, leaderboards, and custom rulesets. The game, which launched on April 14, has struggled to attract a significant player base despite positive reviews.
Saros is Incredible, But Housemarque Has a Lot Riding On It
Despite Saros's critical acclaim and improved accessibility compared to Returnal, concerns remain about its commercial success and Housemarque's future within Sony. The article discusses the sales figures of Returnal and the financial pressures on studios, questioning if Saros's larger scope and development costs will appease executives, especially after recent layoffs and cancellations within PlayStation Studios.
Arc Raiders dev thinks yesterday's niche "can become mainstream tomorrow," and today's extraction shooters are simply "easier to step into"
Embark Studios design director Virgil Watkins believes that extraction shooters, once a niche genre, are becoming mainstream due to new titles being more accessible. He notes that the high bar for live service games requires new entrants to earn their place among established player bases.
Hero shooter Last Flag halts production just 2 weeks after launch, but vows to "make sure that the game doesn't disappear"
Knight Street Games has announced that production for their hero shooter Last Flag is halting just two weeks after launch due to a lack of audience. While the team cannot support further development beyond upcoming patches, they are working with partners to ensure the game remains playable and will add features like custom lobbies. The studio aims to make sure the game "doesn't disappear" despite the financial realities.
New consumer survey finds exclusives are the number one reason people play on a console, but is there more to it than that?
A new survey by Circana reveals that 41% of console gamers cite exclusive titles as their primary reason for choosing a platform, though this figure has decreased by eight points from the previous year. Despite the importance of exclusives for hardware sales, popular non-exclusive live service games like Fortnite and Call of Duty continue to dominate player engagement across PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
EA now lets you pre-order battle passes in Battlefield 6 for exclusive rewards, because of course it does
Electronic Arts is now allowing players to pre-order battle passes for Battlefield 6, including an upgraded 'BF Pro' version, ahead of their official launch. Pre-ordering offers exclusive in-game rewards such as weapon packages and tier skips. This move comes as the game enters a phase of adding new content and features, despite a significant drop in player count since its launch.
Marvel Rivals Hellfire Gala 2026: A No-FOMO Guide for Adults
This guide breaks down the Hellfire Gala 2026 event in Marvel Rivals, emphasizing its player-friendly design for adults with jobs. The event runs from April 23 to May 28, with the free Emma Frost skin available in Phase 2 and requiring approximately 5-10 hours of gameplay. The article highlights NetEase's commitment to delivering promised rewards and contrasts the event's fair monetization with other live-service games.
How to get Red Coral Jewelry in Arc Raiders
This guide explains how to find Red Coral Jewelry in Arc Raiders for the Riven Tides Avian Alarm project. Players can find these rare trinkets in drawers, cabinets, and shelves within Residential, Old World, and Commercial areas, particularly in Buried City locations like Grandioso Apartments and Santa Maria Houses. The guide also mentions that chimneys during the Bird City map condition and Beachcombing on the Riven Tides map are alternative, though less efficient, sources.
Japanese Idol Game Celebrates 11th Anniversary With Major Content Update | HappyGamer
A long-running Japanese idol mobile game is celebrating its 11th anniversary with a significant content update. The update includes a new anniversary song, expanded customization options for photo battles and character outfits, and integration of story content into the music mode. This release emphasizes steady improvements and player engagement over flashy trends, highlighting the game's longevity in the competitive mobile market.
SimCity 4 Player Hits Population Record After 23 Years of Building Dreams | HappyGamer
A SimCity 4 player has achieved a population record in their city after 23 years of continuous play, showcasing long-term dedication to the city-building genre. This achievement highlights the enduring appeal of games that foster creativity and patient development over time. The story also touches upon the longevity of games like Minecraft and the potential future of live service games in inspiring similar long-term player engagement.
How to get Fertilizer in Arc Raiders
The Riven Tides update for Arc Raiders has introduced a new requirement for Fertilizer for the Avian Alarm project, necessitating players to gather ten units. Fertilizer can be found in plant beds within the Hydroponic Dome Complex on Dam Battlegrounds or in ruined greenhouses in the Village on Blue Gate. It may also spawn in wicker basket containers during the Lush Blooms modifier or through Beachcombing on Riven Tides.
How to get Moss in Arc Raiders
This guide explains how to find Moss in the game Arc Raiders, a resource that has gained new importance with the Riven Tides update for the Avian Alarm project. The best locations include the Dried Riverbed and the Hydroponic Dome Complex, with Moss also being available for purchase daily from Celeste.
