Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
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RedOctane's 'next evolution in rhythm gaming' sure looks a lot like 2007's Rock Band
RedOctane Games has announced Stage Tour, a new rhythm-action game that heavily resembles Harmonix's Rock Band. The game aims to revive the plastic-instrument rhythm genre with new features and a focus on long-term content and live events, rather than sequels. Sign-ups for a closed alpha test are expected soon, with a holiday season release planned for PC.
Deadlock Hits 125,000 Concurrent Players After Old Gods Update
Valve's unreleased hero shooter Deadlock has reached 125,000 concurrent players following its "Old Gods, New Blood" update. This surge in player count places it near competitors like Overwatch 2, despite Deadlock lacking an official release date or marketing. The update added new heroes and a 4v4 mode, demonstrating Valve's commitment to the game as a live service.
Don't fancy trying Marathon this weekend? Lucky you, as there's now the chance to have a go at Horizon Hunters Gathering
Guerrilla Games' live service spin-off, Horizon Hunters Gathering, will hold a playtest from February 27th to March 1st. Players can sign up via PlayStation's beta program, though participation is not guaranteed. The playtest will be available on PC via Steam and PlayStation 5 during specific time slots.
Battlefield 6's meta progression needed 'a little bit of a rework,' says producer
Battlefield 6 producer Alexia Christofi acknowledged that the game's meta progression system required significant rework due to player frustration with repetitive challenges. Electronic Arts is adjusting its approach to challenges and the Battle Pass for future seasons, aiming for a more engaging player experience across its distributed development studios.
Is Overwatch Esports a Thing Again in 2026?
Overwatch esports continues in 2026 through the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), a more streamlined and open format replacing the financially challenged Overwatch League. While not reaching the scale of titles like League of Legends or Valorant, OWCS offers a structured global competitive scene with regional leagues, international LAN events, and developer support, indicating a gradual rebuilding rather than explosive growth.
Arc Raiders is getting a hurricane map condition that will hasten your steps and blow grenades back in your face
Embark Studios is introducing a new hurricane map condition to Arc Raiders on February 24th. This condition will limit visibility, degrade shields, impede movement, and affect throwable trajectories. While challenging, the hurricane will also increase player movement speed with a tailwind and reveal new caches of gear.
Watch the Battlefield 6 Season 2 gameplay reveal here
EA and Battlefield Studios are revealing Season 2 for Battlefield 6 today, featuring a gameplay reveal stream at 8am PT. The new season, launching February 17, introduces a new map called Contaminated, new weapons, gadgets, and the return of the AH-6 Little Bird helicopter. This season continues the conflict between NATO and Pax Armata, with psychoactive smoke playing a role in gameplay.
PlayStation 5 had record-breaking sales during holiday season
Sony's PlayStation 5 achieved record-breaking sales during the holiday season, shipping 9.5 million units and contributing to a 16% year-over-year revenue increase for its gaming division. Monthly active users also reached an all-time high of 129 million. The company has revised its full fiscal year sales forecasts upwards, anticipating continued momentum driven by hardware, digital content, and network services.
