Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
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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.
Kingdom Heroes: Arena Shines at EVO Japan with Fighting Game Legends Daigo Umehara and ET
USERJOY's upcoming cross-platform fighting game, Kingdom Heroes: Arena, showcased significant improvements at EVO Japan 2026 following its second global demo test. The Unreal Engine 5 title, inspired by the Three Kingdoms franchise, received positive feedback on its visuals and core mechanics, with plans to refine combat feel, onboarding, and online performance. Fighting game legends Daigo Umehara and ET visited the booth, offering insights that will shape future development and the planned three-month seasonal update structure.
In a bittersweet return to form, Destiny 2's final update is giving players reasons to roam its public zones once…
Bungie has detailed the upcoming final update for Destiny 2, titled Monument of Triumph, which will re-emphasize the game's patrol zones and introduce new loot. The update aims to give players reasons to revisit public spaces by incorporating them into the current gear system and adding new challenges like 'Distortions' that empower enemies and offer exclusive rewards. This update marks a shift back to the game's roots before Bungie transitions away from live service development for Destiny 2.
'Launching the Game Is Just the Beginning': Don't Trade In 007 First Light for PS5
IO Interactive plans extensive post-launch support for its single-player campaign game, 007 First Light, with a roadmap for TacSim content to be revealed soon. The developer, also known for its Hitman series, aims to evolve the game based on player feedback, similar to its long-term support for Hitman's World of Assassination. The game has shown strong performance on the PlayStation 5.
Before Angry Birds, Korea Had Fortress — Now It’s Returning on PC and Mobile
Fortress3 Blue, the latest installment in the classic Korean artillery game series, has launched on PC, Google Play, and the Apple App Store. Developed by original creator CCR and published by Blomics, the game modernizes the franchise's core mechanics with new modes and characters, aiming to capture both nostalgic fans and new players. The launch includes various in-game events and community activities to celebrate the return of the beloved title.
WARPED UNIVERSE - THE SOLAR SYSTEM IS WAKING UP
Warped Universe, a free-to-play sci-fi looter shooter developed by Warped Games, features a living solar system that evolves in real-time based on player actions. Every mission contributes to the construction and defense of facilities, benefiting all players with better rewards and upgrades. The game, built in Unreal Engine 5, is available on Steam and Epic Games Store, with co-op missions planned for future updates.
Hit Horror Extraction Tomb Busters Launches in the West Today, Following 200 Million Downloads in China
Giant Games has launched its co-op horror extraction title, Tomb Busters, in the West on iOS, Android, and PC. The game has already achieved over 200 million downloads and 10 million daily active users in China. Tomb Busters features players delving into tombs filled with traps and creatures inspired by Chinese folklore, with a focus on emergent comedy during multiplayer sessions.
PlayStation Exclusive Destruction AllStars Has Been Delisted, Servers Going Offline
Sony has delisted Destruction AllStars from the PlayStation Store, making it unavailable for purchase. The game's multiplayer servers have been offline since May 2024 due to technical issues and will remain so until November 25, 2026, after which only single-player modes will be playable. The game, developed by Lucid Games, failed to maintain a player base after its launch.
