live-service Archives

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Former Sony exec finally says the quiet part out loud: putting PlayStation games on PC is ‘almost like printing money’

Console manufacturers have historically neglected the PC platform as a revenue source. Microsoft has shifted its strategy by releasing games on PC and PlayStation, while Sony has begun to release more PS4 and PS5 titles on Steam, including the successful simultaneous launch of Helldivers 2 on both PS5 and PC. Shuhei Yoshida, a former Sony executive, indicated that he had envisioned bringing Sony games to PC earlier but faced resistance within the company. He noted that releasing games on PC could attract players to buy PlayStations in the future and highlighted the financial benefits of porting games to PC, which is cheaper than creating new titles. Yoshida also emphasized the importance of the Chinese PC gaming market, citing the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. He speculated on the absence of Bloodborne on PC and expressed that he would have resisted Sony's shift towards live-service games if possible.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Batman Arkham Origins fan remaster looks like a whole new game

Rocksteady Studios is working to reclaim its reputation after the disappointing launch of Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, which marked a shift from its traditional single-player narrative experiences to a live-service model. The game's servers have closed, but its final content update revealed that the heroes were not truly eliminated, as the narrative involved the demise of clones. Rocksteady is reportedly in the early stages of developing a new Batman experience, though it is unclear if it will continue the Arkham Trilogy or explore new directions. Additionally, PC players can enhance Arkham Origins with a fan remaster mod called Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, created by modder Jb0238177, which improves visual fidelity by disabling motion blur and fog, and enhancing textures and shadows. The mod is available for free on NexusMods.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

‘Not every story is told in that way’: Phil Spencer says that live service games aren’t the answer to every problem, and that smaller games play an important role

Live service games are seen as a way to maximize shareholder value in the gaming industry, with EA's CEO suggesting they could have improved Dragon Age: The Veilguard's performance. A GDC survey found that about one-third of triple-A developers are working on live service titles, though some industry leaders are concerned about their prevalence in high-budget gaming. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, expressed reservations about all games becoming service-based, emphasizing the importance of narrative and creative integrity. Xbox has acquired Activision Blizzard, which includes franchises like Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty, but is also promoting single-player experiences. Spencer highlighted the need for diverse storytelling, recalling his appreciation for games like Limbo. Some developers, including former Dragon Age team members and Hazelight's Josef Fares, oppose the push for live service elements, advocating for complete narratives. Spencer noted Xbox's ability to invest in various gaming experiences, supporting both live service and traditional games with defined narratives.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

Valve clarifies ban on in-game advertising on Steam

Valve updated its Steamworks Documentation to include a dedicated "Advertising on Steam" page, formalizing its existing policy against advertising on the platform. The new page clarifies that Steam does not support paid advertisements or referral revenue from ads for other games or products. Developers whose games rely on advertising must consider alternative monetization strategies, such as a single purchase model or a free-to-play format with microtransactions or downloadable content (DLC). Models that block customers and require payment to continue playing are prohibited, and developers are encouraged to offer free demos. Valve has also consistently banned games that utilize blockchain technologies, including cryptocurrencies and NFTs, to maintain a safe gaming environment.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Need for Speed is effectively on hold while Criterion musters entirely around Battlefield, but EA assures players the racer will return in ‘new and interesting ways’

Criterion Games has shifted its focus entirely to EA's upcoming Battlefield project, with a significant portion of its workforce redirected since September 2023. A smaller group remains dedicated to supporting Need for Speed Unbound, but live-service support for the game will be discontinued. EA plans to revitalize the Need for Speed franchise in the future, based on community feedback. Need for Speed: Unbound has received mixed reactions, earning a 'mixed' rating on Steam from over 36,000 reviews. Additionally, EA is undergoing organizational changes, including downsizing BioWare and refocusing it on the Mass Effect series. Criterion's contributions to Battlefield were recently showcased in a brief gameplay reveal.

BetaBeacon

February 3, 2025

My favorite mobile game from 2019 is back and more addictive than ever

Archero 2 has a similar gameplay loop to its predecessor, with the addition of new game modes and a faster, more difficult experience. The new tiered power-up system adds excitement, but the game is criticized for having too many menus and paid rewards. The game lacks weapon variety compared to the first installment, with only five weapon types available. Unlocking new characters takes longer, with some characters only accessible through paid options. The artifact system is criticized for being pay-to-win. Despite these criticisms, the game has been successful, generating an estimated .6 million in revenue in its first week.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo-Backed UFL, Rival To FIFA Games, Plans To Release PC Version This Summer

Cristiano Ronaldo-backed UFL is set to expand with a PC edition launching this summer and a mobile version next year. Since its December launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, UFL has gained over 3 million downloads. The studio has partnered with FIFPro to feature popular players, despite lacking rights to many official team kits. The anticipated PC version is expected between May and August, with an alpha test planned for February or March. UFL operates on a free-to-play model with paid downloadable content, aiming for frequent updates and a live-service approach. Currently, UFL holds a user score of 3.4 out of 10 on Metacritic, while EA's "FC 25" has a lower score of 2.6. EA maintains a strong player base with 18 million to 20 million users in its Ultimate Team mode.

AppWizard

December 18, 2024

Best Ongoing Game 2024: Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley won PC Gamer's Best Ongoing Game award this year, continuing to thrive eight years after its launch due to ongoing developer support. The game received significant updates in 2024, including the release of version 1.6, which introduced a new farm and festivals. Players appreciate the game's flexibility, allowing them to engage at their own pace with various activities such as farming, fishing, and mining. The recent updates have revitalized the experience, keeping it fresh for long-time players. Stardew Valley has not utilized microtransactions or DLC, providing a rich experience without financial pressure.

AppWizard

November 12, 2024

Sony says it should have gotten more ‘validation’ before launching Concord, but that it isn’t done chasing live service ‘upside’ despite the risk

Sony's multiplayer shooter Concord was discontinued two weeks after its launch due to disappointing sales. Executive Hiroki Totoki acknowledged the need for more comprehensive internal and external feedback before the game's release. He emphasized the importance of obtaining detailed validation regarding the potential success of live service games and suggested implementing additional checkpoints, such as user testing and internal assessments, earlier in the development cycle.

AppWizard

October 23, 2024

Bungie Creative Studios moves to PlayStation

The Creative Studios team from Bungie is transitioning to operate under PlayStation Studios. This shift was announced by Bridget O'Neill, the former creative director, who stated it will support Sony Interactive Entertainment's ambitions in live-service gaming. O'Neill expressed excitement about collaborating with other studios on live service games, while acknowledging the unique challenges they present. PlayStation acquired Bungie in July 2022 for .67 billion, and the studio has faced challenges, including layoffs, with reports suggesting that Sony may take more control if financial targets are not met.