A Glimmer of Hope in a Bleak Year for Live Service Games

Identifying turning points can be challenging, as they often seem obvious in hindsight but are difficult to recognize when they occur. The video game industry, with its lengthy product development cycles, is particularly prone to inertia, making it hard to alter course. This year has seen significant changes in the live service landscape, with many expensive, high-profile games failing and others succeeding. The failures of games like Concord, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and XDefiant serve as a reminder of the risks associated with live service models. However, the success of games like Marvel Rivals and Helldivers 2 demonstrates that well-designed, enjoyable games can still thrive in this space. The key to success lies in creating games with a clear, memorable personality, good game quality, and a judicious approach to monetization. As the industry reflects on the failures and successes of 2024, it may mark a pivotal year in the evolution of live service models, with a shift towards more thoughtful and strategic application of this business model.