What Do Recent Closures Mean for the Future of Live Service Games?

The recent wave of live service game closures has sparked concerns about the future of the model. However, analysts and publishers believe this is a normal adjustment in the market, driven by changing macroeconomic trends and the need for companies to cut expenditure and drive towards profitability. The closure of games like Apex Legends Mobile, Rumbleverse, and Knockout City is seen as a natural consequence of the highly competitive live service space, where companies must constantly innovate and adapt to changing player needs. Experts argue that live service games are heavily dependent on player engagement and must compete with other forms of entertainment for users' time. To succeed, live service games need to offer a regular cadence of interesting events, meaningful progression, and genuine social expression through play. While smaller companies may face challenges in breaking through, they can still succeed by finding their 'superfan niche' and understanding their users' needs and preferences. Ultimately, the recent closures are seen as a minor setback in the evolution of the live service model, which is expected to continue growing and maturing in the coming years.