Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
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"We are very eager to learn from the real veterans" – How Tencent's TiMi Studio Group collaborated with Capcom on Monster Hunter Outlanders
Bryan Li, development director at Tencent's TiMi Studio Group, discusses the creation of Monster Hunter Outlanders for mobile devices. The game aims to replicate the full Monster Hunter experience with adapted controls and new storylines, while Capcom provided guidance on core mechanics and lore. TiMi Studio Group leveraged its expertise in live service games for the post-launch roadmap.
WoW: Forever's update schedule will be 'a little more laid back' than the main MMO
World of Warcraft: Forever will adopt a more relaxed update schedule, with new content planned roughly every four months, aligning with its slower-paced, original era design. Principal game designer Kris Zierhut stated this cadence is significantly slower than the Season of Discovery's eight-week cycle. The goal is to "unsolve" the game and maintain its spirit without rushing content.
A leaked trailer for Transformers: Reactivate shows off the only lick of gameplay we'll likely ever see of the cancelled co-op action game
A leaked internal trailer for the cancelled co-op action game Transformers: Reactivate has surfaced, offering a brief glimpse of gameplay. Developed by Splash Damage and previously planned as a free-to-play live service title, the game was reportedly shifted to a premium $70 release before its cancellation amid Tencent's funding withdrawals. The trailer suggests a focus on shooting and driving mechanics with surprisingly little actual transforming.
Gameplay from cancelled Transformers Reactivate leaks and it looks amazing
Gameplay footage has leaked for the cancelled Transformers game, Transformers Reactivate, developed by Splash Damage. The footage showcases a third-person shooter with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, suggesting a promising direction before its cancellation in January 2025. The game reportedly pivoted from a live service model to a single-player campaign with optional co-op.
Fan favourite map Shipment arrives today in Modern Warfare 4, just four days after launch - a new record for Call of Duty
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is receiving the iconic Shipment map just four days after its launch, a new record for the franchise. This fast-paced multiplayer map, first introduced in 2007, is known for its breakneck combat and is often used for rapid player and weapon progression. Separately, the article notes that Pokémon Unite will be shut down on March 23, 2027, though a 'Library' feature will allow players to view earned items and progress after the service ends.
Helldivers 2 celebrates Liberty Day with a free gun, accidentally locks out tons of players with its new anti-cheat
Helldivers 2 is celebrating Liberty Day with in-game decorations and a new weapon, the AR-23L Liberator Legacy. However, many PC players are unable to access the game due to issues with the recently implemented Easy Anti-Cheat software, causing widespread frustration within the community.
Overwatch devs took one look at Jetpack Cat and Bastion's combo and went 'oh, that's a little scary'
Overwatch's Associate Game Director Alec Dawson discussed the initial 'scary' combination of Jetpack Cat and Bastion, which created an "Apache helicopter meta" in the game. While the developers anticipated the potential for imbalance during testing, they deliberately allowed the powerful team-up to be experienced by players before implementing nerfs to preserve exciting gameplay moments.
"We've got to slow down," Wardogs developer admits after Season 2's rocky rollout
Bulkhead, the developer of Wardogs, has admitted to making significant mistakes with the rollout of Season 2, including an economy wipe that was too quickly erased by rapid leveling and a rushed content schedule. The team is now planning to slow down the pace of seasons and focus on fundamentals, with Season 3 targeting November 12 and introducing limited servers to address player progression concerns. The studio acknowledges that external pressures, including Steam's review algorithm, influenced their rushed decisions.
What we've been playing - "Shoving Moon Flesh into an alien grandma's mouth"
This week's "What We've Been Playing" feature highlights several games. Connor discusses the FOMO-inducing grind in Warframe's current event, where players collect "Moon Flesh" for rewards. Bertie recounts a unique one-on-one Dungeons & Dragons session, and Matt shares his surprisingly engaging experiences with the serene exploration game Over the Hill and the party title Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.
BioWare's end is a tragically familiar tale | Opinion
This opinion piece laments the decline and effective closure of BioWare, attributing its downfall to over a decade of mismanagement by Electronic Arts and the broader industry trend of chasing live service models. The author highlights the contrast between BioWare's past successes and its recent failures, arguing that private equity buyouts exacerbate these issues by prioritizing cost-cutting over creative stability.
BioWare Is Finished – Where Did It All Go Wrong?
BioWare, a historically influential role-playing game studio, has officially closed down, with Electronic Arts restructuring the studio and laying off developers. The article reflects on the studio's past successes like Baldur's Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, while also acknowledging its recent failures with Anthem and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, attributing the decline to unsustainable development practices and EA's alleged mismanagement.
EA Has A New Plan For Madden, And It Leans Into Everything The Company Gets Wrong
Electronic Arts is planning a new 'social-first open-world experience' for its American Football games, tentatively called Project Gridiron, which aims to emulate NBA 2K's successful 'The City' mode. However, the article argues that EA's history of lacking patience, authentic voice, and community goodwill, coupled with its aggressive monetization strategies, makes it unlikely to succeed where NBA 2K has thrived. The piece highlights EA's past failures with similar modes and its tendency to abandon features, suggesting Project Gridiron is set up for disappointment.
I’m Getting Very Worried About Skate Following EA Layoffs
The author expresses significant concern for the future of the game Skate following recent layoffs at publisher Electronic Arts and its developer Full Circle. Despite recent improvements in the game's live-service content, the reduction in staff raises worries about the game's development trajectory and EA's commitment to the franchise.
Star Wars Battlefront 3 Reportedly In Development By EA’s Top Shooter Studios
Electronic Arts is reportedly developing Star Wars Battlefront 3, with Apex Legends studio Respawn Entertainment and Battlefield developer DICE collaborating on the project. This news comes amidst EA's restructuring, which includes layoffs and the closure of BioWare. The publisher mentioned that learnings from Battlefield's live service launch will inform future shooter portfolio growth.
EA Kills BioWare, Cancels New Mass Effect, Pauses New Sims Game, And All The Other Big EA News That Just Happened
Electronic Arts has confirmed significant layoffs impacting approximately 400 employees and has canceled the next Mass Effect game, leading to the closure of the BioWare studio. Additionally, a new Sims game has been paused, and the Skate title is being scaled back. These changes follow EA's recent $55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, with the company aiming to reduce costs and streamline development.
Battlefield 6 x Dead Space Event Adds New Layer to PvE
Battlefield 6 is hosting a limited-time Halloween event called Dead Space: Convergence, which transforms Area 51 into a 16-player PvE battleground. Players fight against corrupted soldiers and Markers from the Dead Space series, earning currency for themed rewards. This non-canon crossover introduces the DS-23 Pulse Rifle and Dead Space-inspired cosmetics, marking an ambitious experiment for Battlefield's live-service model.
Arc Raiders Sells an Estimated 150,000 Copies After Free Weekend
Arc Raiders sold an estimated 150,000 copies following its free weekend, with daily players reaching a six-month high of 1.7 million. This surge is attributed to the "Frozen Trails" update, which introduced new content and a 50% discount, alongside a limited PvE test.
Peter Molyneux explains why Black & White 3 remains MIA, and then drops a tantalising teaser: 'It's such a difficult, difficult, challenging title to develop'
Peter Molyneux discussed the challenges behind developing a potential Black & White 3, citing technical hurdles and the declining market for god games. He also hinted at the possibility of a Black & White remaster being in development, though he is not involved and advises caution.
ArenaNet solves an ongoing Guild Wars 2 issue by ditching paid Living World add-ons and bundling them with expansions
ArenaNet is changing how Guild Wars 2's Living World seasonal content is sold, now bundling narrative add-ons with major expansions instead of selling them separately. This move aims to make it easier for new and returning players to access the full story without additional purchases. The company also mentioned Guild Wars 3 and a renaissance for the original Guild Wars series.
Mafia: The Old Country, Horizon Forbidden West, and More Coming to PS Plus Extra/Premium in October
Sony has announced the new games coming to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium in October. The lineup includes The Midnight Walk, Mafia: The Old Country, Horizon Forbidden West, Mycopunk, Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2, Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition, and Monster Energy Supercross 25. Premium subscribers will also receive Dino Crisis 2 and RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition.
