Live Service Games
Ongoing coverage on Live Service Games.
Latest coverage
Xbox games are making bank on PlayStation
Xbox games generated $667 million in gross revenue by being ported to PlayStation 5, according to a report by Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics. While some titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves performed exceptionally well, others like Starfield and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition also met sales thresholds. Sony, conversely, is not planning to port more PlayStation 5 games to PC, focusing on single-player exclusives for its console while live-service games will be multiplatform.
Games Inbox: Will Marvel’s Wolverine be as good as Spider-Man 2?
Readers discuss the potential of Marvel's Wolverine compared to Marvel's Spider-Man 2, with concerns about its movement and gore. Other topics include the future of digital game distribution, the perceived audience for Steam Machines, and the implications of Nintendo's movie ventures. There's also commentary on game difficulty modifiers, the impact of Grand Theft Auto 6, and PlayStation's digital rights management.
The secret to Overwatch's revitalization? Over-communicating.
Overwatch 2, now simply Overwatch, has undergone a significant revitalization driven by Blizzard Entertainment's focus on over-communicating with its player base. Game director Aaron Keller highlighted how admitting past mistakes and implementing continuous, transparent updates, including detailed blog posts and 'Director's Take' articles, helped rebuild player trust and improve community sentiment, moving Steam reviews from 'Most Negatively Reviewed' to 'Mixed'.
"Live service is tricky as hell": Helldivers 2 boss says updates are "not an exact science" because the "community changes" constantly
Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani acknowledges the difficulty of managing live service games like Helldivers 2, stating that updates are not an exact science due to the constantly changing player community. He explained that player reception to changes can be unpredictable, even after extensive testing, and that balancing new content with player satisfaction is an ongoing challenge.
Sony's "lack of marketing push" on Marathon "speaks to the lack of faith from the platform holder," says former Square Enix exec
A former Square Enix executive believes Sony's limited marketing for Bungie's Marathon indicates a lack of faith in the title. Despite Marathon being the most played game on Xbox last month, its presence on PlayStation dashboards is minimal. This lack of promotion is contrasted with Microsoft's typical support for its first-party titles and the potential for Marathon to be a major success if marketed effectively.
Arc Raiders players complain Riven Tides update took a hammer to weapon durability and their beloved anti-Arc cloak,…
Players are expressing significant dissatisfaction with the Riven Tides update for Arc Raiders, particularly concerning drastic reductions in weapon durability and the nerfing of the anti-Arc photoelectric cloak. Embark Studios has implemented changes to weapon durability, including lower starting durability and reduced loss on dropped weapons, alongside a significant increase in the energy cost of the photoelectric cloak. While some players are adapting to the changes, many are calling for reversals or significant tweaks, drawing parallels to player reactions seen in Helldivers 2.
Innovative Mobile Game Mechanics That Changed Gaming in 2026 - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Mobile games in 2026 are increasingly defined by innovative design choices rather than just visuals, focusing on mechanics that influence player engagement and retention. Key trends include hybrid-casual gameplay, live-service features, AI-driven personalization, idle loops, social integration, and evolving monetization systems that prioritize transparency and player experience.
“We’re a number on a ledger" - ex-Elder Scrolls Online studio head says Microsoft cancelling Project Blackbird was a "missed opportunity"
Former ZeniMax Online Studios head Matt Firor described Microsoft's cancellation of the unannounced MMO Project Blackbird as a "missed opportunity" for all parties involved. Firor, who resigned after the project's canning, explained that while he understood the business reasoning behind the decision, it was a "devastating blow" to the team who had invested heavily in building a new engine for the game.
How to complete Safe Harbor in Arc Raiders
This guide details how to complete the Safe Harbor quest in Arc Raiders, which involves finding clues left by restaurant kitchen staff on the Riven Tides map. Players must locate a buried Exodus part by following a sketch found in the Hotel Panorama Azzurro's kitchen and then digging in the northwest area of the Tennis Court.
How to complete A Wrench in the Works in Arc Raiders
This guide details how to complete the 'A Wrench in the Works' quest in Arc Raiders, part of the Riven Tides update. The quest involves searching buses near the western gate of Spaceport and locating sabotage supplies at the Water Towers. The article provides specific locations and interaction points to progress the quest for player Celeste.
Helldivers 2's Liberation for Your Leisure Campaign Turns War Into Weekend Plans | HappyGamer
Sony's new marketing campaign for Helldivers 2, titled "Liberation for Your Leisure," frames the co-op shooter as a form of relaxation and escapism. The campaign highlights the game's satirical take on propaganda and violence, acknowledging its success on both PlayStation 5 and PC. This approach aims to sustain player momentum and attract new audiences to the live service title.
Pragmata and Saros give hope for the future of big budget video games
The release of new intellectual properties like Pragmata and Saros offers a hopeful contrast to the current trend of sequels and licensed games in the industry. These titles prioritize gameplay and unique experiences, a rarity in modern big-budget development. While Western publishers are increasingly risk-averse, focusing on live service games, Japanese developers like Capcom and Sony Interactive Entertainment are still willing to invest in new IPs, providing a much-needed breath of fresh air.
How to complete the Avian Alarm project in Arc Raiders
The Avian Alarm project in Arc Raiders' Riven Tides update is a five-stage endeavor requiring players to gather various resources and items. The guide details the materials needed for each stage, including specific trinkets like Ship Models, and outlines the rewards received upon completion, such as cosmetic items and Raider Tokens.
Arc Raiders Last Resort event explained
The new Riven Tides update for Arc Raiders introduces the limited-time Last Resort event, running from April 28 to May 25. Players can earn exclusive rewards by accumulating Merits, primarily through earning XP in matches and finding miniature Ship Models. The event features a multi-page reward track including outfits, backpack charms, and Raider Tokens.
How to complete Line in the Sand in Arc Raiders
This guide details how to complete the 'Line in the Sand' quest in Arc Raiders' Riven Tides update. The quest involves finding four specific locations within the Buried City area, starting with derailed train cars and progressing through various points of interest like a small square tower and the Market Ruins, culminating in photographing a pile of cardboard boxes in a basement.
How to use the Dockmaster's Detector to beachcomb in Arc Raiders
This guide explains how to use the Dockmaster's Detector in Arc Raiders to find buried treasure on the new Riven Tides beach resort map. Players can obtain the detector by looting, completing quests, or crafting, and must equip it as a gadget to locate valuable items and crafting materials.
How to lay the bird trap to start the Avian Alarm project in Arc Raiders
This guide explains how to complete the first step of the Avian Alarm project in Arc Raiders by laying a bird trap near a buoy northeast of the Port Authority Building on the Riven Tides map. After placing the trap, players return to Speranza to mark the task complete and then donate materials for the remaining stages of the project.
How to complete Shoring Up Defenses in Arc Raiders
This guide details how to complete the 'Shoring Up Defenses' quest in Arc Raiders' Riven Tides update. The quest involves destroying specific enemy types, reinforcing a structure with Arc Alloy, and boarding up windows in the Hotel Panorama Azzurro. Completing these objectives rewards players with various in-game items.
Indie Dev Shows How to Do Update Communication Right | HappyGamer
An indie developer for '30 Degrees Below Zero Despair' has been praised for their detailed and player-friendly approach to communicating game updates. This contrasts with the often vague patch notes provided by larger publishers, highlighting the importance of transparent communication in building player loyalty and community.
The Last of Us Online Director Says Former Colleagues Still Call it “The Best Multiplayer Game”
Former director Vinit Agarwal revealed that colleagues still consider the cancelled The Last of Us Online to be the best multiplayer game they've played. Naughty Dog cancelled the project in December 2023 due to its massive scope and the need to prioritize single-player narrative games. Agarwal, who worked on the title for seven years, expressed devastation but understanding for the decision.
