PlayStation Promises Live Service Games Will Be More Than Just Shooters – But is It Too Late?
Sony hopes to make live service games that will last.
Live service games, or games as a service, are the current trend that gaming companies have been chasing ever since Grand Theft Auto V started making them tons of cash with just one game. It is estimated that as of August, it has made 7 billion dollars since releasing in 2013. Live service games are simple in theory. They are games that are made and just need to be updated with new content instead of having to spend money on a brand-new sequel or spin-off. This concept is pretty old with World of Warcraft being one of the oldest examples of this method of game-making.
There have been some successes since 2013 with Battle Royale games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. Unfortunately, for every good one, there are two or three bad ones like Babylon’s Fall or Anthem. Sony is hoping to beat these odds.
via Sony
Ambitious Goals, Careful Planning
Last year, Sony finalized its purchase of Bungie for $3 billion and let everyone know the reason they bought the studio was for its experience with live service games. Sony said it would be looking to make 10 live service games by March 31, 2026. A promise like that needs a lot of experience in this genre since many studios have failed to chase that money dream, so they took even further steps.
Sony then acquired Haven Studios last year specifically to make a live service game. The studio was tight-lipped on what they were working on and vague in describing it:
“Our first new IP for PlayStation is on track to deliver a AAA multiplayer experience with a vision to build a systemic and evolving world focused on freedom, thrill, and playfulness that will keep players entertained and engaged for years.”
The latest step in creating this live service army was that they recently acquired Firewalk Studios in April with the promise they are working on a “plan to connect players in new and innovative ways in their ambitious upcoming multiplayer game.”
Diversify!
Games Industry.biz recently spoke with PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst and the studio head of Firewalk Tony Hsu about the live service plans. Hulst understands that live service games are incredibly difficult to make a success. Sony is certain they can do it if they focus on doing what PlayStation fans have come to expect from them, making the games good first.
“We understand the competitive environment that is out there, and the time investment from players that live services offer… And we want to deliver the highest quality games.”
Sony hopes to avoid the mistakes others have done
The other reason they feel live service games have failed in the past is that they are not diverse enough. One of the mistakes many studios make is thinking live service games have to be shooters like Destiny, Fortnite, and Apex Legends. Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League is being slammed for this exact reason and considered everything wrong with live service games with what has been shown so far.
“There is a risk that we talk about ‘live service’ in generic terms – as if it is a single genre, or even a single business model. PlayStation Studios are making a variety of games that could be referred to as ‘live services’, targeting different genres, different release schedules, and at different scales. We are also creating games for different audiences, and I take confidence from our track record in creating worlds and stories that PlayStation fans love.”
This isn’t a foolproof plan since there are plenty of other live service games that have attempted to be something other than a shooter that failed like Rumbleverse and of course Marvel’s The Avengers.
Good night, sweet prince.
The best way to avoid this specific pitfall is simple in the case of what happened with Avengers. Don’t have studios make games they never have done before or are ready for. Hulst and Hsu were in sync on this idea. Hulst knows to trust the studios they acquired and Hsu is confident in PlayStation letting them work:
“Every [studio] relationship has its own trajectory… It depends on what the studio needs to grow and succeed, and what makes sense for both sides.”
“The priority for each studio is to deliver their own project – to make the best game that they can,”
Many gamers and even news outlets have pretty much agreed that live service games are probably going to die off like many other gaming gimmicks chased in the past like MOBAs. Sony PlayStation is hitting for the fences on this and if anyone can make at least some of them work, I feel it is them. Especially since they are doing more work on the idea that many other studios that didn’t get to “Step 3: Profit!” because “Step 2: ???” was just guns and monetization. Only time will tell if any of the games even come out or if the genre dies before then.
“It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for ’em.” Pepper Brooks, Dodgeball
