#live-service-games
#live-service-games

Warner Bros. is doubling down on free-to-play, live-service and mobile

Warner Bros. Discovery focusing on free-to-play and live-service markets in gaming.

Hogwarts Legacy success overshadowed by Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League struggles. [ more ]

GameSpot

Suicide Squad Makes A Welcome Change To How Battle Passes Usually Work

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will offer players a battle pass with cosmetic items, but without limited-time design.

Players will be able to complete goals on the free and premium tracks of the battle pass at their own pace. [ more ]

VG247

The outlook on Suicide Squad and Skull and Bones is tepid - is this the end of the live service craze?

Both Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Skull and Bones are live service games releasing in February, but they have faced negative perception in the pre-launch period.

The reasons for the negative cloud surrounding the games are unclear, but it could be due to the saturation of live service games in the industry. [ more ]

Kotaku

moresuicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league

Suicide Squad's First New Playable Character Will Be The Joker

The Joker will be the first new playable character added to Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League post-launch.

Rocksteady promises free seasonal content drops with new playable characters, environments, and more. [ more ]

game-development

GameSpot

Helldiver 2's Gun Stats Don't Tell The Whole Story When Picking The Best Weapon

Different opinions on the best weapon in Helldivers 2.

Numbers don't reveal the full picture when it comes to weapon selection. [ more ]

VG247

"We created a new game mode in a day!" How staying faithful is the key to Smite 2's success

The developers of Smite 2 are confident in their ability to create a successful sequel despite the risks associated with updating live service games.

The focus of Smite 2 is on making the best game for the existing fanbase rather than trying to attract new players. [ more ]

GameSpot

The Elder Scrolls Online Director Calls It "One Of The Successful Live-Service Games" With $2 Billion In Revenue

The Elder Scrolls Online quietly generated $2 billion in consumer spend, showcasing its successful performance in the live-service game market. [ more ]

Kotaku

1 month ago

Publishers Pivoting To Live-Service Games Have Most Devs Worried

Game developers express concerns over sustainability and impact of live-service games, preferring a return to paid DLC. [ more ]

GameSpot

1 month ago

60% Of All Playtime In 2023 Was Spent On Live-Service Games More Than Six Years Old

60% of playtime on PC and consoles is spent on old live-service games.

Only 8% of playtime is spent on new, non-annual games. [ more ]

WGB

1 month ago

Bend Studios is making a "AAA live-service" game

Bend Studios is working on a new IP with multiplayer and open-world systems similar to Days Gone.

The new job listing for a Lead Project Manager emphasizes the shift towards live-service games. [ more ]

Kotaku

Ex-PlayStation Boss Has Mixed Feelings About Console Exclusives

Growing gaming market faces challenges due to rising costs of AAA games

Exclusivity can limit the addressable market for games, particularly in live service and free-to-play models. [ more ]

The Verge

WB's Smash Bros.-style fighter Multiversus is launching in May

Warner Bros. Games announced Multiversus release date: May 28th as a free-to-play game.

Warner Bros. doubles down on live-service games despite mixed reception for Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. [ more ]

moreVideo games

GameSpot

Warner Bros Doubles Down On Live Service Games | Spot On

Warner Bros Discovery is shifting towards live-service, mobile, and free-to-play games.

The company is leveraging its IPs like DC, Game of Thrones for new game strategies. [ more ]

GameSpot

Warner Bros. Wants To Shift Away From "Volatile" AAA Console Games, Lean Into Free-To-Play And Mobile

Warner Bros. Discovery focusing on more live-service, mobile, and free-to-play games for growth.

Emphasis on reducing volatility through core franchises in mobile and free-to-play space. [ more ]

VG247

Podcast

That one live service game you begrudgingly like? It's probably just as bad as all the others, you just need an intervention

Many gamers are put off by live service elements in games, often disguising tedious grind as exciting features.

Despite the prevalence of live service games, some titles manage to offer an enjoyable experience with these elements. [ more ]

GameSpot

Unannounced Twisted Metal Live-Service Game Canceled - Report

Cancellation of Twisted Metal live-service game

Horizon online game still in development [ more ]

VG247

Helldivers 2 showed me how badly live service gamification has broken my brain

Helldivers 2 offers a gameplay experience without the typical live service game elements like progression trackers and grinding.

The game provides a refreshing break from the artificial urgency and FOMO found in many contemporary multiplayer shooters. [ more ]

VG247

You don't need a PS5 Pro | Have live service games reached their nadir with Suicide Squad?

PS5 Pro's relevance questioned

Live-service games may be reaching their breaking point [ more ]

Kotaku

Subnautica 2 Devs Quickly Clarify That, No, The Game Isn't A Live-Service Thing

Krafton clarified that Subnautica 2 will not be a multiplayer-focused live-service game, but will receive regular updates during early access.

The term 'live service' has become increasingly disliked by gamers, leading to panic and frustration when it was initially suggested for Subnautica 2. [ more ]

Kotaku