Circana data shared by analyst Mat Piscatella shows the most-played games on PlayStation and Xbox are nearly identical, dominated by long-running live service titles and annual sports releases. Fortnite leads both platforms while only one new game appears in each top 20 list. Steam stands apart with a more diverse lineup including indie hits and unreleased titles.
PlayStation is reportedly pulling out of PC ports for single-player games, citing inconsistent releases and lack of revenue, as stated by Herman Hulst. This move means upcoming titles like Marvel's Wolverine will be exclusive to PS5. The decision does not affect live-service games, which will continue on PC.
Kadokawa, a manga publishing giant, reports a 51.3% drop in operating profits, blaming its excessive reliance on isekai-type works for lacking originality and quality. The publisher of notable titles like Isekai Quartet acknowledges the strategy failed to produce new hits. This shift mirrors the gaming industry's retreat from live-service dominance.
Fortnite's latest update has sparked a bizarre conspiracy theory regarding character model adjustments, notably a perceived "butt buff" for female characters, drawing comparisons to Overwatch's similar controversy. Players and content creators have blown up the issue on social media, with many demanding transparency from Epic Games. The debate highlights the delicate balance between character design and community perception in live-service games.
Sega has canceled its highly anticipated live service 'Super Game' due to intensifying market competition, transferring 100 developers to work on traditional 'Full Game' projects. This move may signal a broader industry shift away from live service games. The cancellation reflects the high risks and challenges associated with developing and maintaining live service titles in a crowded market.
Helldivers 2, the cooperative live-service game by Arrowhead Studios, has seen its Steam reviews plummet to "Mostly Negative" amidst community dissatisfaction. Players cite concerns over hidden weapon changes, underwhelming warbonds, and imbalance between free and paid content. Arrowhead Studios has responded, promising clearer communication on upcoming updates.
