Live service games typically involve continuous updates, evolving content and in-game monetization, helping them feel real and current, even if they were released several years ago. They mark a clear shift in how the gaming industry previously operated, moving away from traditional one-time purchases to ever-changing in-game worlds.
This article will cover reasons why live service games look set to dominate the industry, as well as the potential benefits, drawbacks and future outlook.
What are live service games?
If you’re unsure what a live service game is, we’re here to help clear up any confusion. These games have no fixed criteria, but you should be able to spot one when looking at a wide selection of games.
The core concept of live service games
Live service games are a unique family of games that are continuously updated with new content, rather than providing a fixed experience that has a set start and end point, which is how almost all video games used to be. A great example of this is GTA Online, which is still being updated with new content more than a decade after it was first released. They provide a clear contrast to traditional, single-player games that are barely updated upon release, other than to provide patches for bugs that weren’t spotted during the QA stage.
The evolution of live service gaming
A couple of examples of live service games include World of Warcraft and League of Legends, which involve fast-changing elements that rely on an evolving in-game world to provide a constant source of action for players. With online accessibility and internet speeds better than ever, it’s incredibly easy for developers to work and release updates quickly, allowing for regular expansions and seasonal downloads that help create more engaging games.
Why live service games are dominating the industry
Live service games have stood the test of time when looking back over the past decade, showing why they’re so popular among both players and developers, marking a shift in how games are released and maintained.
Financial benefits for developers and publishers
Live service games are increasing in popularity in the gaming industry because they provide a steady stream of revenue through microtransactions, season passes and add-ons. This explains how some free-to-play games can generate more income than traditional purchases, largely thanks to these sources of in-game revenue.
Long-term player engagement and retention
By regularly releasing new content and updates, game developers can keep players invested for years beyond a game’s initial release period. This can be aided by focusing on in-game events and collaborating with popular real-world brands or figures, as seen with the recent concerts within Fortnite, which help create unique and appealing experiences. This can then be strengthened by in-game consumables, such as skins or emotes, giving players more opportunities to engage.
Community-driven growth and social aspects
Many live service games have been known to create thriving online communities through guilds, squads and social hubs, which then spill from the real world into the digital one. For developers, these communities are vital for assessing player feedback and deciding what should be prioritized when planning future updates. These updates can then be teased through these groups alongside content creators, helping to build hype and fuel engagement further.
How live service games have changed game development
Game development has traditionally followed a linear pattern, but with the increased popularity of live service games, this looks to have finally changed, which could be a good thing for the industry as a whole.
The shift to games as a platform, not a product
Many leading game developers have now decided to shift their focus to planning long-term content roadmaps instead of one-and-done releases, owing to the success of GTA Online and Fortnite, among others. This shift when we look at the priorities of developers shows how they’ve pivoted from polished releases to long-term updates aimed at improving the overall experience immediately after launch and beyond.
The role of data-driven design in live service games
These development studios have started taking more time to examine and understand player behavior as they try to balance difficulty and content pacing. This can be aided by AI tools helping with ever-evolving challenges and forms of playable content, allowing each iteration of the same game to feel new and exciting, which will encourage participation and continued engagement from players.
The rise of subscription-based and battle pass models
The availability of game subscriptions (such as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus) has made many live service games more accessible, allowing continued access to games for a vast majority of console players. This has coincided with a clear shift from loot boxes to battle passes, much to the satisfaction of many players, a majority of whom were unhappy with their gambling-like mechanism and addictive nature.
The downsides and challenges of live service games
Regular game updates can lead to exhaustion, which can coincide with seasonal grind and the building of major in-game events, many of which require regular troubleshooting to run smoothly. This pressure can intensify upon the release of new battle passes or in-game season changes, causing increased stress for those working on the games, resulting in some asking themselves: ’is gaming regressing in 2024?’
There are a handful of companies that have faced quite an intense backlash for aggressive development practices, resulting in some employees speaking out against the high demands of live service games and the constraints this can place on teams that are often required to work overtime. We do think that developers are trying to right these wrongs, but it’ll take a lot of time and evident effort for the general public to be won over.
The main downside of these games is that eventually they’ll no longer be supported, which will result in players losing access to their in-game purchases or earned rewards. Because these games rely on new updates to remain playable, especially for those that are exclusively online (such as Apex Legends and Fortnite), players are at the mercy of developers continuing to provide updates until the costs outweigh the revenue.
The future of live service games
The latest trend is toward evolving open-world live service experiences, which many expect to see in the online aspect of the upcoming GTA 6, which promises to be the largest and most developed live service game in history. This could be strengthened by AI-driven stories and the integration of VR technology, providing a more immersive in-game experience for players.
A select number of game development companies are experimenting with blockchain-based in-game assets, allowing for more transparent purchases and ownership. This also looked like it would coincide with the wider adoption of NFTs, however, with the decline of these assets in recent years, they never really took off, much to the relief of many within the gaming community.
The recent success of single-player games like Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3 show that it’s not just online games that are popular in this current age, but maintaining them in the same capacity is easier said than done due to the online nature of season passes and events to engage players. That said, this could also be a sign that not all games need to be updated regularly to be successful, and that a good game doesn’t need to masquerade as something it isn’t.
Conclusion
Live service games continue to dominate the industry, and while they have benefits and downsides, it cannot be argued that they’ve had a lasting impact on the industry as a whole. Because these games are still relatively new in the grand scheme of things, the future is still unclear, although we should expect big things nonetheless.
