Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
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Crimson Desert DLC "will be substantively different" to the main game, Pearl Abyss PR lead teases
Pearl Abyss PR lead Will Powers teased that the upcoming DLC for Crimson Desert will be "substantively different" from the base game in scope, scale, or size. The developer, known for its live service approach with Black Desert, continues to provide frequent free updates for Crimson Desert while working on the paid expansion.
Time to get a little sadder about Destiny 2: TWIDs are coming to an end
Bungie is ending its weekly 'This Week in Destiny' (TWID) blog posts following the launch of the final live service update for Destiny 2, Monument of Triumph. While communications will continue through other channels, the regular blog updates are entering hibernation. The Monument of Triumph update itself launched smoothly and is considered one of Destiny 2's best.
Are Games Getting Longer? The 2026 Data | TAG
Analysis of game length data from 2010-2026 reveals a significant increase in typical playthrough times, with the median notable release growing from approximately 16 hours to 25-27 hours. This trend is attributed to the prevalence of open-world design, marketing emphasis on content hours, and the influence of live-service models, leading to a decline in shorter, finishable games and contributing to player backlog guilt.
Destiny 2’s final update brings a huge number of Guardians back with the aptly-named Monument of Triumph
Destiny 2 experienced a significant player surge on Steam following the release of its final live-service content update, Monument of Triumph. The update brought back a large number of players, achieving the game's highest player count since The Final Shape expansion, and includes features like the return of Sparrow Racing League and a refreshed Pantheon.
Destiny 2's final update crushes the Steam concurrents peak hit by last year's Edge of Fate expansion
Destiny 2's final live service update, Monument of Triumph, has seen a surge in player activity on Steam, reaching over 164,000 concurrent players. This peak surpasses the numbers seen during the launch of the Edge of Fate expansion last year and the recent Episode: Echoes. The game is also currently the top seller on Steam due to a significant sale.
Destiny 2 hasn't had this many players in years: fans flood the servers as final update sends Bungie's MMO off…
Destiny 2 has seen a massive surge in player numbers following the release of the Monument of Triumph update, marking the end of active development for Bungie's MMO. Player counts on Steam have reached levels not seen since the Final Shape expansion, despite the game's previously low average player base. While the servers will remain online, no further updates are planned, leading to speculation and a fan petition for a Destiny 3.
The Tech Behind Dead by Daylight: Inside Montreal’s Biggest Multiplayer Hit
Dead by Daylight, developed by Behaviour Interactive, has achieved massive success as an asymmetrical multiplayer game through aggressive live-service execution and robust technical infrastructure. The game utilizes extensive player telemetry for real-time balance updates and a sophisticated skill-based matchmaking system. Its longevity is further supported by cross-progression features and integration with streaming culture, solidifying Montreal's position as a key game development hub.
Crimson Desert's free updates are "free marketing" and will continue "as long as there's demand…
Pearl Abyss plans to continue providing substantial free updates for Crimson Desert as long as there is player demand, viewing it as a form of free marketing. This approach, similar to their MMO Black Desert Online, aims to reward the community and maintain player engagement. Updates are planned through September, with DLC also in development.
Sony Pictures' Helldivers movie has lost Jason Momoa as its lead, just months after announcing the star's involvement
Jason Momoa has departed the lead role in the upcoming Helldivers movie adaptation from Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions, with the reason for his exit unknown. Director Justin Lin is still attached to the project, which is slated for a November 10, 2027 release. The film's plot details are under wraps, but it is expected to draw heavily from the popular Helldivers games.
Guild Wars 3 will have no battle pass or subscription because ArenaNet studio lead doesn't want to "keep people hostage"
ArenaNet studio head Collin Johanson revealed that Guild Wars 3 will not feature a subscription or battle pass, opting for a premium buy-to-play model similar to previous titles. Johanson emphasized a desire to avoid the "second job" perception of MMOs and innovate within the genre. Support for Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 will continue alongside the development of the new game.
Summer Game Fest no-shows: The big games that were absent from 2026's showcases
Several highly anticipated games were notably absent from the Summer Game Fest showcases, leaving fans speculating about their development status. Titles like Arkane's Blade, the Witcher 3 DLC, Injustice 3, and the Divinity sequel were among the expected reveals that did not materialize. The article highlights the absence of these games and discusses potential reasons or future reveal opportunities.
Xbox Games Showcase 2026: Every Major Reveal, Trailer and Release Date – Part 2 | Invision Game Community
The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 featured numerous reveals, including the long-awaited Persona 6 from ATLUS and Persona 4 Revival with a February 2027 release date. Other major announcements included Metro 2039, Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Valor Mortis, and Vivarium. The showcase also highlighted immediate availability for Where Winds Meet and new content for Age of Empires IV, The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and Sea of Thieves.
Marathon May Never Be Popular, And That’s Why It’s So Good
Marathon, a new live-service game from Bungie, is intentionally designed to be niche and challenging, unlike more mainstream titles such as Destiny 2. Its friction-forward gameplay, harsh mechanics, and emphasis on player learning over permanent progression set it apart. Despite initial skepticism and comparisons to other live-service failures, Marathon's unique approach offers a distinct and thrilling experience for its target audience.
'What was unravelling is suddenly stabilizing': Destiny 2's last update is getting an absurd 71 pages of patch notes, but its story is closing with a shrug
Destiny 2 is receiving a massive final update, 'Monument of Triumph,' featuring 71 pages of patch notes and extensive gameplay changes, including revitalized patrol zones and new abilities. Despite the substantial content, the game's ongoing story is concluding abruptly, with characters suggesting a stabilization of Earth's situation, a stark contrast to the previous narrative's dire state.
The Division 3 Studio Ramps Up Development With Seven New Job Openings
Massive Entertainment, a studio under Ubisoft, is actively hiring for multiple roles related to The Division 3, indicating continued development. The job listings suggest the game will retain its live-service model and focus on features like character realization, lighting, and facial animation. Despite the departure of former executive producer Julian Gerighty, Ubisoft has confirmed that work on the title is progressing.
Funktronic Labs Drops Battle Royale PvP Focus, Reimagines Scramble Knights as "Scramble Knights Online”- an online adventure RPG with bite-sized Zelda-inspired quests in a shared world.
Funktronic Labs has announced a significant pivot for their title, formerly "Scramble Knights Royale," which will now be known as "Scramble Knights Online." The game is dropping its Battle Royale and live-service focus to become an online multiplayer adventure RPG featuring Zelda-inspired quests and PvE content. The studio aims to create a shared world experience with co-op gameplay for up to four players, focusing on character progression and crafting.
Marathon season 2 launch plagued by anteaters, monkeys and weasels, with Bungie dishing out free gear to say sorry for the server issues
Marathon's Season 2 launch was disrupted by widespread server errors, including "Anteater, Monkey, and Weasel" issues, forcing Bungie to temporarily take the game offline. The developer has since released a patch and is compensating affected players with free in-game gear to apologize for the disruption.
Marathon season 2 kicks off with a "PvP-lite" mode that sounds more like a sidestep for those after PvE
Marathon's second season has launched with a gear wipe and a free-to-play week, introducing a new "PvP-lite" mode called Sponsored Survival. This mode features players on a map with AI enemies, with other players backfilling later in the match. Bungie also plans to test a full PvE mode later in the season.
Game Of Thrones: Dragonfire, A Mobile Game Based On House Of The Dragon
Game of Thrones: Dragonfire, a new free-to-play mobile strategy game based on House of the Dragon, has launched on iOS and Android. Developed by Warner Bros. Games Boston, players take on the role of a dragonrider building armies to conquer Westeros. The game features a live service model with new dragons and limited-time "Reign" events, and offers rewards for watching House of the Dragon Season 3.
Bungie experiments by adding casual PvP-lite mode to Marathon
Bungie is introducing a new experimental mode called Sponsored Survival to Marathon, which reduces the emphasis on player versus player combat for a more relaxed experience. This mode will be available during the free-to-access Open Play week from June 2 to June 9. Bungie is testing this mode to cater to different playstyles and gather feedback for potential future additions to the live service shooter.
