Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
Latest coverage
Blizzard’s new game hints that a UE5 open world shooter, with a focus on cinemetic storytelling is on the way
Blizzard Entertainment is actively hiring for an unannounced AAA open-world shooter project utilizing Unreal Engine 5. Job postings reveal a focus on cinematic storytelling, advanced combat mechanics, and potentially a new intellectual property or a revival of the StarCraft franchise. The game is in early pre-production, with a potential reveal possibly at BlizzCon in 2026.
Nexon agrees to publish Overwatch in Korea
Nexon has agreed to publish Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch in Korea, handling live service and business operations for the PC version expected this year. The partnership aims to deliver hyper-localized content and services tailored for Korean players, leveraging Nexon's expertise in the market and Blizzard's game development. This agreement follows recent unionization efforts at Blizzard and discussions around AI in game development.
Elder Scrolls Online - Previewing Season Zeros Tome of Dawn and Dusk Rewards
The Elder Scrolls Online will introduce its first Tamriel Tome, "Tome of Dawn and Dusk," on April 2, 2026. This preview showcases some of the in-game rewards players can unlock and acquire through this new system.
'Did Not Work': The First Descendant Considered a Failure by Its Developer
Nexon has acknowledged that its live-service title, The First Descendant, has failed to retain players, less than two years after its release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC. Company president Junghun Lee stated that the game suffered from "retention challenges" and "design issues that are not fixed with a patch." Despite a strong launch on PC with over 264,000 concurrent players, interest quickly waned, with player counts dropping significantly post-release.
April's PS Plus Monthly Games include Lords of the Fallen and a trio of remastered Tomb Raider ports
Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for April, featuring Lords of the Fallen for PlayStation 5 and the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered collection for PlayStation 4 and 5. Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream, a live-service action RPG, will also be available. These titles will be accessible to subscribers starting April 7.
'More time innovating; less time writing code:' Arc Raiders publisher Nexon believes AI will liberate its workforce
Nexon is implementing an AI-driven initiative called 'Mono Lake' across its development and live service operations to enhance decision-making and free up developers for more creative tasks. CEO Junghun Lee stated the platform leverages decades of game data to provide context, while Executive Chairman Patrick Söderlund aims to foster smarter workflows and fewer, more impactful bets.
The Division 3 Losing Top Boss Is No Big Deal, Ubisoft Says; Confirms Division 2 Won't Go Free
Ubisoft assures players that The Division 3 will proceed as planned despite the departure of executive producer Julian Gerighty, with senior producer Fredrik Brönjemark stating the roadmap is secure. The company also confirmed that The Division 2 will not transition to a free-to-play model, as it would require design changes Ubisoft is unwilling to make. Additionally, Ubisoft discussed the ongoing growth of The Division franchise, including the recent launch of The Division Resurgence and the cancellation of The Division Heartland.
Raiding like it's 1999: Why Daybreak thinks new players will try a 27-year-old MMO
Daybreak Games and indie studio Game Jawn are launching EverQuest Legends, a project focused on recreating the original 1999 MMORPG experience with modern quality-of-life improvements. The game aims to attract both nostalgic players and newcomers by offering a more approachable solo-friendly experience than the famously hardcore original. EverQuest Legends will utilize excavated assets and code from Daybreak's archives, entering closed beta before its July launch with a subscription-based business model.
Marathon's developers say they are "in it for the long haul" amidst fears the game has underperformed in this live service hell
Bungie developers have stated they are committed to the long-term development of their extraction shooter, Marathon, amidst concerns about its initial sales performance. The team is focusing on improving CPU performance and overall game quality based on player feedback. Initial sales estimates suggest PC was the primary platform, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Marathon final review – thrill of the exfil
Marathon, the new extraction shooter from Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment, offers a compelling experience despite its initial quirks and a steep learning curve. The game features excellent gunplay, a distinctive atmosphere, and rich progression systems, though its seasonal resets and limited access to endgame content may deter some players. It is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Marathon (2026) Review
Marathon is a compelling extraction shooter with exceptional gunplay and a satisfying gameplay loop, despite its punishing nature. Developed by Bungie, the game offers diverse player classes and engaging contracts across three distinct maps, culminating in challenging endgame content. The narrative explores themes of unchecked capitalism and artificial intelligence, complemented by a strong aesthetic and electronic score.
Warships of the Pacific Hotfix Shows Why Small Patches Matter Most
Warships of the Pacific released a hotfix (version 1.17.5.2) addressing minor technical issues, such as problems with the division designer and AI template updates. While not introducing new content or major balance changes, these small fixes highlight the developers' commitment to ongoing support and maintaining player trust.
FIFA Heroes: Everything We Know
FIFA Heroes, a free-to-play 5-v-5 arcade football game developed by Enver Studios, is set to release on April 28, 2026, for Android, iOS, and PC (Steam), with console versions to follow. The game features a mix of real-world football legends and mythological gods, offering superpower-based gameplay and a monthly season pass for monetization. Early access is currently available in select regions.
NTE: Neverness to Everness Sets April 29 Launch Across PC, PS5, Mobile, and Mac
NTE: Neverness to Everness will launch on April 29, 2026, for PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, iOS, and Android. Developed by Hotta Studio and published by Perfect World Games, the game features a supernatural urban setting with open-world exploration, investigation, and live-service RPG elements. Pre-orders for PlayStation 5 and a pre-registration campaign offering in-game and physical rewards are now live.
Conan Exiles seemingly getting a new update soon after going quiet for Dune Awakening
Funcom has sent out surveys to Conan Exiles players, hinting at potential upcoming updates or testing phases for the game. This follows a period of maintenance and fixes, while the company has been focused on Dune Awakening. The surveys suggest a possible significant update, with players entering an NDA for a test build.
Marathon Review - Back on the starting line
Marathon, Bungie's reimagining of their legacy franchise as an extraction shooter, offers excellent gunplay and a tense PvPvE loop on PC and PlayStation 5. While the game boasts strong fundamentals, a striking visual identity, and a generous economy, it struggles with map design, unclear objectives, and a cluttered UI, leading to limited long-term appeal and a steep learning curve for new players.
FIFA Heroes hands-on preview - an arcade style rival for EA Sports FC
FIFA Heroes is a new free-to-play, arcade-style football game from Enver Studio, branded by FIFA, that aims to revive the genre for consoles and mobile. It draws inspiration from titles like FIFA Street and MOBAs, featuring a live service model and targeting a younger demographic with accessible gameplay and microtransactions. The game will launch on iOS and Android on April 28, with PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch versions to follow.
GTA 6 Bets Show Fans Doubt Its $70 Price Tag
A significant portion of Grand Theft Auto 6 fans anticipate a price point above $70, with many betting on an $80 release. While some rumors suggested even higher prices, recent sentiment and comments from Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick suggest a price closer to $70-$80 is more likely, though the possibility of higher-priced special editions and continued microtransactions in its online component remains.
Marvel Rivals dev says monthly hero release schedule isn’t going away: ‘It’s not going to slow down’
NetEase Games has confirmed that Marvel Rivals will continue its monthly hero release schedule, with executive producer Danny Koo stating it is 'not going to slow down.' This consistent addition of new characters is a key strategy for retaining players in the live-service hero shooter. The game aims to introduce diverse play mechanics by drawing from Marvel's extensive roster of characters.
Pokemon Champions producer says it could run “forever” if the series does
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino stated that the game is planned to run "forever" as long as the Pokemon series continues. The free-to-start title, launching on April 8th for Nintendo Switch, features extensive customization options. Its long-term success will depend on its initial reception and solid foundations.
