Lance Whitney
Updated on: October 8, 2024 5:12 am GMT
In an unexpected turn of events, Sony’s latest live-service title, Concord, which launched on August 23, 2023, has been shut down less than two weeks later, marking one of the shortest-lived spells for a major live-service game. This closing, announced on September 6, comes in contrast to the more typical timeline for AAA titles, which usually receive more time to find and grow their gaming community.
This rapid closure highlights a troubling trend within the gaming industry as several high-profile live-service shoots have struggled to remain relevant, with many being discontinued shortly after launch. Below is a look at not only Concord but also several other live-service games that faltered prematurely.
Notable Failures in Live-Service Gaming
- Crossfire: Despite its popularity in South Korea and China, the military simulation game floundered in the U.S. following its transition to Xbox. The inclusion of a broken PvP mode and an underwhelming campaign led to its closure just over a year after its release.
- Lawbreakers: Created by Cliff Bleszinski, this sci-fi first-person shooter introduced innovative gameplay mechanics but ultimately failed to attract a substantial audience. The game was removed from storefronts after only 13 months.
- Babylon’s Fall: Square Enix’s attempt at establishing a new online RPG fell flat due to criticism over microtransactions and graphics. The game had to reassure players shortly after launch, but its user base dwindled to a single player before its eventual closure just shy of the one-year milestone.
- Apex Legends Mobile: The mobile adaptation of the popular battle royale game launched to great expectations but was shut down within 11 months due to declining quality and player interest.
- Rumbleverse: This unique blend of wrestling and battle royale gameplay was short-lived, with Epic Games closing it down after only six months.
- The Day Before: This much-anticipated zombie survival shooter faced severe criticism upon its Early Access release in December 2023, leading to its abrupt exit from Steam and permanent closure by January 2024.
- The Culling 2: Intended as an enhanced sequel to an earlier title, this battle royale failed to stand out and prompted its studio to shut it down entirely, eventually returning focus to the original game.
These closures indicate a broader pattern in the live-service gaming sector, where many once-promising titles quickly fell out of favor. Despite heavy investments of time, money, and resources, several AAA projects have failed to resonate with players, resulting in significantly short lifespans.
Market Dynamics and Emerging Threats
In a recent discussion, Xalavier Nelson Jr., the Studio Head of Strange Scaffold, expressed concern about the shifting landscape of game development. According to Nelson, mid-sized games are susceptible to extinction as the industry trends increasingly gravitate towards either massive AAA titles or indie projects that find niche success.
During a podcast appearance on Limit Break Network, Nelson stated, “Everyone who has the money to do an AA revolution instead wants to make a new Fortnite, and that new Fortnite may get canceled before it ever gets released.” This perspective highlights the dilemma facing developers and publishers looking to strike gold in the gaming market.
Nelson’s observations, which draw on the contrasting successes of titles like Balatro, which sold 2 million copies within six months of release, suggest that while there are outliers, the space for mid-sized games is shrinking rapidly. The former space filled by AA games is now largely occupied by indie developers who are successfully creating innovative, smaller-scale games.
Persistent Challenges in Live-Service Games
The downfall faced by many live-service titles stems from multiple issues, including development missteps, inflated expectations, and the necessity for ongoing player engagement. Successful live-service games typically require consistent updates, rich content, and strong community involvement, all of which can be daunting for new or less established titles.
Additionally, the competitive nature of the market means that new offerings are constantly pitted against entrenched franchises and established games with loyal player bases. As a result, even a minor decrease in player engagement can have adverse effects, leading to rapid decline in any new titles.
As the industry navigates these challenges, there remains a growing interest in sustainability and innovation within game development. Developers are finding that a larger portion of success may rely on understanding player dynamics, creating robust multiplayer experiences, and prioritizing long-term player satisfaction over short-term profits.
The Future of Live-Service Gaming
As live-service games continue to face hurdles, developers and publishers must reconsider their strategies. The industry may see shifts toward more reliable frameworks for connecting with audiences while exploring growth opportunities that emphasize community-driven engagement.
With the closure of titles like Concord, both players and developers are reminded of the unpredictable nature of the gaming landscape. As the market evolves, the focus may shift toward creating durable experiences rather than rapid, high-stakes gambles aimed at instant success.
As the gaming industry changes how it makes live-service games, developers will carefully look at what they need to do next. They will think about what players want, what is popular in the industry, and how they can keep making games in a way that lasts.
