Live Service
Ongoing coverage on Live Service.
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Final Fantasy? GTA? Nope, It's Pokemon Bugging Out on S... | TAG
Several gaming news items are covered, including a bug in Pokemon Champions on the Nintendo Switch that requires undocking the system for proper resolution, the anime movie ChaO's unique take on The Little Mermaid, and Framework's concerns about the future of personal computing. Other topics include Marathon's high development budget, the possibility of Link speaking in the Legend of Zelda movie, and discussions around Grand Theft Auto 6's potential delay and pricing. Additionally, Amazon is ending support for older Kindles, a guide for Pokemon Champions' Pokédex is available, and reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Lite keyboard and Final Fantasy 14's upcoming expansion hints are discussed. Finally, Rhythm Heaven Groove has a confirmed summer release date, and Rust 2 is confirmed to not be in development.
Call of Duty: Mobile Season 5 Brings The Boys Crossover Event
Call of Duty: Mobile is collaborating with the Prime Video series The Boys for its upcoming Season 5 update. This crossover event will introduce playable characters, themed bundle rewards, and legendary weapons inspired by the show. The event aligns with the premiere of The Boys' final season.
Pokémon Champions review in progress - free live service pokémon
Pokémon Champions is a free-to-play battle simulator for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android, reminiscent of Pokémon Stadium but with modern live service elements. The game has launched in a rough state, featuring microtransactions, a battle pass, and an annual subscription, with some players experiencing bugs and lost Pokémon data. Despite its issues, the core battle mechanics are familiar, and tutorials are well-made for newcomers.
The First Berserker: Khazan Studio Restructuring is “Unrelated to Workforce Reduction,” Says Nexkon
Nexon has stated that the restructuring of Neople, the developer of The First Berserker: Khazan, is a planned reallocation of talent and not related to workforce reduction. The company aims to better utilize resources for current and future projects, including live service operations. Despite missing sales targets, Nexon considers the game a strategic first step in introducing the Dungeon & Fighter IP globally.
Indie Dev Drops Sylph on Steam After Playtesting — Promises More Content Coming
Indie developer softmaxfoundries has launched their game Sylph on Steam after an extensive playtesting phase, promising future content updates. The developer is actively seeking player feedback and bug reports, aiming to build a community around the game. This transparent approach, focusing on player involvement and honest communication, is highlighted as a smart strategy in the competitive indie game market.
The First Berserker Khazan dev restructure "not related to workforce reduction or team dissolution," Nexon says: "We're proud of the game's creative direction and the positive response"
Nexon has stated that the restructuring of The First Berserker: Khazan developer Neople is a planned reallocation of talent, not a workforce reduction or team dissolution. Despite reports of weak sales leading to the reassignment of staff, Nexon expressed pride in the game's creative direction and positive fan response. The company did not comment on the future of the Khazan IP, suggesting that its combat mechanics might influence future Nexon action RPGs.
Battlefield 6 audio team says they 'constantly polish what we think needs polishing'
The audio team for Battlefield 2042 discussed their continuous work on polishing the game's soundscape, even after its launch. They described the live-service model as a marathon rather than a sprint, emphasizing ongoing improvements based on player feedback. The team also celebrated winning the best audio design award at The Game Awards 2025.
GTA Online Neighborhood Watch Event Brings New Cop Cars & $200K Rewards
Rockstar Games has launched the Neighborhood Watch Event for Grand Theft Auto Online, featuring new Bravado Buffalo Law Enforcement Vehicles and Dispatch Work missions. The event, running until April 15, offers discounts on law enforcement vehicles and in-game currency rewards for completing specific tasks, continuing the game's live service model.
Blizzard’s new game hints that a UE5 open world shooter, with a focus on cinemetic storytelling is on the way
Blizzard Entertainment is actively hiring for an unannounced AAA open-world shooter project utilizing Unreal Engine 5. Job postings reveal a focus on cinematic storytelling, advanced combat mechanics, and potentially a new intellectual property or a revival of the StarCraft franchise. The game is in early pre-production, with a potential reveal possibly at BlizzCon in 2026.
Nexon agrees to publish Overwatch in Korea
Nexon has agreed to publish Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch in Korea, handling live service and business operations for the PC version expected this year. The partnership aims to deliver hyper-localized content and services tailored for Korean players, leveraging Nexon's expertise in the market and Blizzard's game development. This agreement follows recent unionization efforts at Blizzard and discussions around AI in game development.
Elder Scrolls Online - Previewing Season Zeros Tome of Dawn and Dusk Rewards
The Elder Scrolls Online will introduce its first Tamriel Tome, "Tome of Dawn and Dusk," on April 2, 2026. This preview showcases some of the in-game rewards players can unlock and acquire through this new system.
'Did Not Work': The First Descendant Considered a Failure by Its Developer
Nexon has acknowledged that its live-service title, The First Descendant, has failed to retain players, less than two years after its release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC. Company president Junghun Lee stated that the game suffered from "retention challenges" and "design issues that are not fixed with a patch." Despite a strong launch on PC with over 264,000 concurrent players, interest quickly waned, with player counts dropping significantly post-release.
April's PS Plus Monthly Games include Lords of the Fallen and a trio of remastered Tomb Raider ports
Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for April, featuring Lords of the Fallen for PlayStation 5 and the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered collection for PlayStation 4 and 5. Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream, a live-service action RPG, will also be available. These titles will be accessible to subscribers starting April 7.
'More time innovating; less time writing code:' Arc Raiders publisher Nexon believes AI will liberate its workforce
Nexon is implementing an AI-driven initiative called 'Mono Lake' across its development and live service operations to enhance decision-making and free up developers for more creative tasks. CEO Junghun Lee stated the platform leverages decades of game data to provide context, while Executive Chairman Patrick Söderlund aims to foster smarter workflows and fewer, more impactful bets.
The Division 3 Losing Top Boss Is No Big Deal, Ubisoft Says; Confirms Division 2 Won't Go Free
Ubisoft assures players that The Division 3 will proceed as planned despite the departure of executive producer Julian Gerighty, with senior producer Fredrik Brönjemark stating the roadmap is secure. The company also confirmed that The Division 2 will not transition to a free-to-play model, as it would require design changes Ubisoft is unwilling to make. Additionally, Ubisoft discussed the ongoing growth of The Division franchise, including the recent launch of The Division Resurgence and the cancellation of The Division Heartland.
Raiding like it's 1999: Why Daybreak thinks new players will try a 27-year-old MMO
Daybreak Games and indie studio Game Jawn are launching EverQuest Legends, a project focused on recreating the original 1999 MMORPG experience with modern quality-of-life improvements. The game aims to attract both nostalgic players and newcomers by offering a more approachable solo-friendly experience than the famously hardcore original. EverQuest Legends will utilize excavated assets and code from Daybreak's archives, entering closed beta before its July launch with a subscription-based business model.
Marathon's developers say they are "in it for the long haul" amidst fears the game has underperformed in this live service hell
Bungie developers have stated they are committed to the long-term development of their extraction shooter, Marathon, amidst concerns about its initial sales performance. The team is focusing on improving CPU performance and overall game quality based on player feedback. Initial sales estimates suggest PC was the primary platform, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Marathon final review – thrill of the exfil
Marathon, the new extraction shooter from Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment, offers a compelling experience despite its initial quirks and a steep learning curve. The game features excellent gunplay, a distinctive atmosphere, and rich progression systems, though its seasonal resets and limited access to endgame content may deter some players. It is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Marathon (2026) Review
Marathon is a compelling extraction shooter with exceptional gunplay and a satisfying gameplay loop, despite its punishing nature. Developed by Bungie, the game offers diverse player classes and engaging contracts across three distinct maps, culminating in challenging endgame content. The narrative explores themes of unchecked capitalism and artificial intelligence, complemented by a strong aesthetic and electronic score.
Warships of the Pacific Hotfix Shows Why Small Patches Matter Most
Warships of the Pacific released a hotfix (version 1.17.5.2) addressing minor technical issues, such as problems with the division designer and AI template updates. While not introducing new content or major balance changes, these small fixes highlight the developers' commitment to ongoing support and maintaining player trust.
