Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
Latest coverage
Diablo 4’s Next Crossover Goes In A Much Different, “Lighter” Direction
Blizzard Entertainment is launching a crossover event between Diablo 4 and Overwatch in Diablo 4's Season 14, Death Awakening, starting June 30. While primarily shop-focused, the collaboration will offer free Overwatch-themed weapon cosmetics, a mount trophy, player emblems, and an armor dye. This marks a shift towards broader, lighter-toned collaborations for Diablo 4 as it matures as a live-service game.
Bungie's at a crossroads: Should Destiny 3 be a live service, just a campaign, or something else entirely?
This article discusses the future of the Destiny franchise, questioning whether Destiny 3 should adopt a live service model, focus solely on a campaign, or return to a more traditional expansion-based release schedule. The author reflects on the pros and cons of Destiny 2's current live service approach and the challenges of sustaining such a model for Bungie and its aging player base.
Rumour: Marvel Poised to Attack Free-to-Play RPG Market with 'Project Comet'
A rumor suggests Marvel is developing a free-to-play, gacha-based action RPG codenamed 'Project Comet', potentially by Scopely. The game is expected to feature a wide roster of Marvel characters and may launch on mobile platforms, with aspirations for console releases to compete with titles like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves.
What GTA 6 Will Demand of Your Time | TAG
Grand Theft Auto 6 is projected to require between 60-90 hours for its main story, with 100% completion potentially reaching 150-200 hours, excluding its online component which offers infinite playtime. Rockstar Games' history indicates escalating game length and detail, suggesting GTA 6 will be longer and richer than previous titles. The article advises players, particularly busy adults, to plan their calendars accordingly, manage their backlogs, and consider pacing strategies to complete the game within a reasonable timeframe.
Halo: Campaign Evolved announces restrictive PS5 account requirements for multiplayer
Halo: Campaign Evolved will require PlayStation 5 players to link their PlayStation accounts to a Microsoft account and maintain an active PlayStation Plus subscription for both online and offline multiplayer. This requirement, mandated by either Sony or Microsoft, is a notable restriction for a paid PlayStation Plus subscription. The game will launch on June 29th, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, featuring only the main campaign and three prequel missions, with no plans for additional content or competitive multiplayer modes.
GTA 6 for Adults Who Can't Take the Week Off (2026) | TAG
This guide offers strategies for adult gamers to enjoy Grand Theft Auto 6 at their own pace, addressing concerns about limited playtime and avoiding burnout. It provides advice on preparing before launch, managing spoilers, and approaching the game's extensive content, including its online component, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The article emphasizes that the game's value lies in its longevity rather than a quick completion.
Solo-Built Mafia MMO The Fifth Family Tops 3,300 Players, Ships Menagerie and Factional Vigilantes Systems, Opens to Strategic Investment
The solo-developed mafia MMORPG, The Fifth Family, has announced two new content updates: The Menagerie, a pet and companion system, and Factional Vigilantes, introducing 95 unique operatives. The game has surpassed 3,300 registered players and 400 daily active users since its March 2026 launch, generating five-figure GBP revenue. Developer Reece is now seeking strategic investment, publishing, and partnership opportunities.
Hands On: Astroneer Turns Co-Op Extraction Adventure, But Is 'Starseeker' Worth Playing In Early Access?
Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, the co-op focused spin-off of Astroneer, is now available in Early Access on Nintendo Switch. This new title shifts from the original's survival sandbox to a more structured extraction-style gameplay loop with time-limited missions and hostile alien creatures. While the game shows promise with its charming aesthetic and engaging co-op design, it currently suffers from bugs and progress-blocking issues typical of early access titles, alongside the inclusion of microtransactions.
GOALS Announces Partnership With Puma - Exclusive Cosmetics Added To Celebrate Major Milestone
GOALS is celebrating reaching 1 million active players by launching an exclusive in-game apparel collection in partnership with Puma. This collection, featuring custom kits, boots, and a match ball, was co-designed by both companies to feel native to the GOALS universe. The partnership aims to allow players to express their identity and style within the game.
EverQuest Legends Launches July 28, Pre-Orders and Beta Access Available Now
Daybreak Game Company and Game Jawn announced that EverQuest Legends, a reimagined version of the original MMORPG, will launch on July 28 for $19.99, including one month of game time. Pre-orders are available now, granting access to a beta period starting July 1 and offering an exclusive in-game title. The game will operate as a live service title with ongoing content updates and a $9.99 monthly subscription after the initial month.
10 years later, asymmetrical horror game Dead by Daylight sets a new concurrent player record on Steam, showing that the ongoing support is definitely working
Dead by Daylight, the 10-year-old asymmetrical horror game developed by Behaviour Interactive, has set a new concurrent player record on Steam with over 125,000 players. This surge in popularity is attributed to ongoing support, visual overhauls, and the recent addition of Jason Voorhees. The game is also available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, with cross-platform play enabled.
ArenaNet reiterates Guild Wars 3’s B2P no-sub model and place in ‘the middle of the MMO spectrum’
ArenaNet has reiterated that Guild Wars 3 will be a buy-to-play title with no subscription fees or battle pass subscriptions, emphasizing a fair monetization model. The studio aims for Guild Wars 3 to occupy a middle ground in the MMORPG spectrum, coexisting with Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 by offering a distinct experience.
ARC Raiders launches a new event and project, promises its slowed update cadence will be worth it
ARC Raiders has launched a new in-game event called 'The Forgotten Relics' which offers players 21 new rewards for collecting relics and earning merits. Alongside this, a 'Converging Paths' project is live until July 27th, tasking players with collective goals for additional rewards. The developers have assured players that despite a slowed update cadence, the team is responding to bugs faster and a major content update planned for October will be worth the wait.
Arc Raiders gives players what they asked for as "quieter period" leaves some bored: "no free loadout" in night raids or Close Scrutiny
Embark Studios is implementing a temporary ban on free loadouts for Arc Raiders' night raids and Close Scrutiny modes to increase risk and reward, a change requested by players. This comes amid a quieter period for the game, with major updates now planned every six months, and the studio addressing concerns about cheaters and item duplication.
What the heck are you playing at, games industry?
The article criticizes the recent surge in video game studio closures and layoffs, highlighting numerous studios shut down by major publishers like Ubisoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Microsoft. It questions the business strategies of these publishers, particularly Microsoft's handling of Ninja Theory and the high development cost of Xbox exclusives like Gears of War E-Day, while also pointing to the industry's pursuit of live services and infinite growth over sustainable development.
Extraction MMO Warborne Above Ashes kills all future development, servers to stay online
Qooland Games has announced the cessation of all future development for their PvP extraction MMO, Warborne Above Ashes, less than a year after its launch. The developers cited serious operational and business challenges as the reason for the decision. While content updates will stop, the game's servers will remain online with all existing content available.
Dead by Daylight celebrates its 10 year anniversary by adding the most sought after horror icon and teasing 'a…
Dead by Daylight celebrated its 10th anniversary with a fan event featuring new announcements, including the addition of Jason Voorhees and the first Indigenous Survivor, Shane Wiigwaas. The game will also receive a significant visual overhaul with updated character models, environments, and dynamic weather systems, alongside plans for new game modes and community-driven content.
Dead by Daylight Delivers an Unforgettable 10th Anniversary Celebration
Behaviour Interactive celebrated the 10th anniversary of Dead by Daylight with major reveals including new chapters featuring Jason Voorhees, Shane Wiigwaas, and Art the Clown, alongside collaborations with Iron Maiden, Ice Nine Kills, The Walking Dead, Silent Hill, Scooby-Doo, and Diablo. The developer also announced ambitious plans for 2027, including a visual overhaul, new game modes, and sandbox modding tools. A Dead by Daylight film is also in development with director Thordur Palsson.
Sonic Team head confirms possibility of a 3rd year of Sonic Racing CrossWorlds content
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has indicated that Sonic Racing CrossWorlds could receive a third year of content if sales remain strong and demand is present. The game is currently available on Nintendo Switch.
It's bittersweet that the best time to play Destiny 2 in years coincides with its end, but I'm happy for the new players who get to experience its most liberating iteration yet
The final update for Destiny 2, despite marking the end of the game, is seen as a positive and liberating experience, especially for new players. This update introduces numerous requested quality-of-life improvements, loot refreshes, and activity revamps, making it the best iteration of the game to date. While the narrative conclusion may be underwhelming, the extensive patch notes highlight significant additions that revitalize the game's core elements.
