Live Service
42 storiesArticles assess backend maintenance, customer-support escalation and content roadmap against the named game, build and platform instead of assuming universal support. For readers, login federation and data portability clarify the likely benefits, constraints and commitment involved. It follows the continuing operation and updates of an active game; Live Service Model examines the underlying publishing framework.
The Division 2 Red Horizon Brings Cleaners to D.C. and Confirms Crossplay
Ubisoft has launched Year 8 Season 3 for The Division 2, introducing the Cleaners faction to Washington D.C., new modifiers, permanent Toxic Dark Zones, and a crossplay update scheduled for later this year
Lee Joohee Joins Solo Leveling: ARISE With Prism-Based Combat Update
Netmarble has released a major update for Solo Leveling: ARISE, introducing Lee Joohee as a new SSR hunter, new story difficulties, and the Hall of the Monarchs challenge, alongside balance changes and a new weapon for Sung Jinwoo
Myth of Empires: Throne Season 3 launches 3 September with new map
Myth of Empires: Throne Season 3 arrives on 3 September 2026, introducing the Shattered Isles map, new siege weaponry, Legendary Warriors, and a range of gameplay and quality-of-life changes for PC players
Where Winds Meet Hits 100 Million Players, Hidden Mountain Finale Dated
NetEase Games and Everstone Studio have confirmed Where Winds Meet has surpassed 100 million players globally, with the final chapter of the Hidden Mountain storyline set to launch on 16 September
Arc Raiders Expeditions Paused Until 2027 as Embark Targets Major Overhaul
Embark Studios has confirmed that all future Arc Raiders Expeditions will be suspended until early 2027, with the team promising significant improvements in response to ongoing player feedback and persistent gameplay concerns
Starship Troopers: Extermination Update 12 Expands X-11 and Adds Meteor Showers
Offworld and Knights Peak have released Update 12 for Starship Troopers: Extermination, expanding the X-11 map, introducing meteor showers, new missions, and bringing back The Galactic Front event with additional rewards
THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK marks first anniversary with Fighters Festa event
Netmarble has launched the Fighters Festa event for THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, introducing new fighters, expanded team battles and limited-time rewards as the mobile RPG celebrates its first year since release
StageTime Adds StagePass Subscription With Monthly Rewards and Desktop Streaming
Virtuware has introduced StagePass, a paid monthly subscription for StageTime on Meta Quest, offering in-game currency, exclusive outfits and a consent-based desktop streaming feature while keeping the core platform free
The First Descendant Season 4 Update Adds New Story, Dungeon and Features
NEXON has released the Season 4 Episode 1 update for The First Descendant, introducing a new main story, mega dungeon, additional character and weapons, plus balance changes and in-game events
Riot to End Active Development on 2XKO in December 2026
Riot Games has confirmed that active development on 2XKO, its League of Legends fighting game, will cease in December 2026 due to low player retention, though online servers and offline play will remain available for the foreseeable future
PUBG MOBILE x NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Crossover Adds Ninjutsu and PvE Battles
PUBG MOBILE's collaboration with NARUTO SHIPPUDEN introduces playable Ninjutsu, iconic anime locations, and a major PvE event. Tencent and Studio Pierrot detail how the crossover was designed to go beyond cosmetics and engage both fanbases
Redfall's Final Patch Released After Arkane Austin Closure
Harvey Smith has revealed that Arkane Austin was allowed to deliver one last Redfall patch after the studio's closure, following negotiations with Microsoft, in an unusual move for a cancelled live-service project
GRIT Launches on Steam With Updated Wild West Battle Royale Features
Team GRIT has released GRIT on Steam, bringing a third-person Wild West battle royale for up to 100 players with new gameplay improvements, updated mechanics and expanded customisation options for PC players
Fortnite Adds Disneyland-Exclusive Star Wars Forsworn Trooper Skin
Epic Games has introduced the Forsworn Trooper skin in Fortnite, but players can only unlock it by visiting Disneyland Park in California or Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, highlighting a new level of in-person exclusivity for the game
Fortnite Overdrive Season Reveals 32-Bit Skins and Sonic Crossover
Epic Games has unveiled the Overdrive season for Fortnite, featuring a 32-bit themed trailer, new character skins inspired by classic games, and a Sega-approved Sonic the Hedgehog crossover, with the season launching on 20 August
Aeris Collection Announced for VALORANT Season 2026 Act 5
Riot Games has revealed the Aeris Collection for VALORANT, introducing magical card-themed weapon skins and animations as part of Act 5, with new melee transformations and a fresh Battlepass launching on 18 August 2026
Xbox and McDonald's Team Up for In-Game Rewards Across Major Franchises
Xbox and McDonald's have announced a partnership bringing in-game rewards to players of Halo, Forza, Fallout, World of Warcraft and more, with themed menu items and digital bonuses available in the UK and Ireland
Blizzard Removes Mythic L'ura Mount Amid World of Warcraft Ban Wave
Blizzard has launched a new round of bans in World of Warcraft, targeting real-money transactions and removing the rare Mythic L'ura mount from some accounts, including players not directly involved in prohibited activity
Overwatch Battle Pass Revamp Splits Progression Into Five Tracks
Blizzard has announced a major overhaul of the Overwatch battle pass, introducing five selectable tracks and a new Tier Hack system for premium skins, with the update launching tomorrow and aiming to give players more control over their rewards
Battlefield 6 Steam Refund Granted After Key Modes Pulled From Quick Play
A Battlefield 6 player has received a full Steam refund after over 400 hours of play, following the removal of core multiplayer modes from quick-play matchmaking by Battlefield Studios. The decision highlights ongoing frustration with live-service changes
No Man's Sky Cosmos update shifts focus to deep space exploration
Hello Games has announced the Cosmos update for No Man's Sky, signalling a renewed emphasis on space exploration beyond planetary surfaces as the studio continues to support the game a decade after its original release
Take-Two Remains Upbeat on Borderlands 4 Despite PC Performance Woes
Take-Two Interactive's Strauss Zelnick has reaffirmed support for Borderlands 4, stating that ongoing PC optimisation issues and mixed reviews have not altered the publisher's plans for the franchise or its live-service content
Take-Two Confirms Borderlands 4 Support Continues Despite Mixed Launch
Take-Two has reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing Borderlands 4 content, stating that the game's commercial performance and technical issues have not changed its post-launch support plans as players await details on the Year 2 roadmap
No Man's Sky Marks 10 Years With Less Than 1% of Planets Explored
Hello Games has revealed that, a decade after launch, players have explored under 1% of No Man's Sky's 18 quintillion planets, as the studio celebrates the game's anniversary and teases its next major update
Mistfall Hunter Hits One Million Players as Season 1 Roadmap Unveiled
Mistfall Hunter has surpassed one million players, prompting Bellring Games to publish a detailed season 1 roadmap and tease new content for season 2, including additional modes and gameplay challenges
RuneScape U-turns on One-Time-Use Microtransactions After Player Pushback
Jagex has reversed its decision to introduce consumable microtransaction cosmetics in RuneScape, moving to a permanent unlock model following immediate negative feedback from the player community
EA Sports FC 27 Reveals The Grounds Open World Football Hub
EA Sports has detailed The Grounds, a new open world online hub for FC 27, aiming to blend football culture, social features and multiple game modes. Here's what's confirmed for launch and what remains to be seen
Pokémon Go and LEGO Event Brings In-Game Rewards to Stores Worldwide
Pokémon Go's LEGO collaboration has launched, offering unique in-game bonuses for players who visit participating LEGO stores in the US, Europe and Australia. Here's what's available and how to find your nearest location
Reverse: 1999 Version 3.7 and 3rd Anniversary Update Arrive 13 August
Bluepoch has confirmed Reverse: 1999's 3rd anniversary update will launch on 13 August, bringing Version 3.7, new characters, expanded gameplay modes and a range of free rewards to PC and mobile platforms
Pirates Four Paws Charity Stream Sets August Twitch Return for 2026
Pirates Four Paws will return to Twitch from 14-18 August 2026, with El Gato Pub hosting a five-day charity event supporting Best Friends Animal Society, featuring live streams, tournaments and a $3,000 fundraising target
Egg Hunt 2026: The Grand Eggspress launches 29 July on Roblox
GeekOut K.K. has announced Egg Hunt 2026: The Grand Eggspress, a new 3D adventure RPG for Roblox, reviving the classic Egg Hunt event with modern technology and a global development team ahead of its July 2026 release
GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE and Persona Series Collaboration Set for August 2026
Level Infinite has officially announced a crossover event between GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE and the Persona series, bringing content from Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal to NIKKE in celebration of Persona's 30th anniversary this August
Hololive Dreams Launches with 150 Songs and 50 VTubers on Mobile and PC
Hololive Dreams has arrived on iOS, Android and PC, blending rhythm gameplay with RPG progression and featuring over 150 tracks and 54 hololive VTubers as playable characters, aiming to broaden the appeal of rhythm games
Battlefield 6 Drives EA CEO's £38m Payday After Record Sales
EA's CEO has received a substantial pay rise following Battlefield 6's record-breaking launch, but the developers behind the game were laid off just months after release, raising questions about industry priorities
Call of Duty: Mobile Season 7 brings Terminator 2 event and new modes
Call of Duty: Mobile Season 7 - Terminated launches 5 August, introducing a Terminator 2: Judgment Day event, refreshed Nuketown map, new multiplayer and battle royale modes, and exclusive T-800 and T-1000 Operator Skins
Afterglow launches on iOS and Android as post-apocalyptic mobile MMORPG
Shadow Council has released Afterglow, a post-apocalyptic sandbox MMORPG for mobile, now available free on iOS and Android. The game targets players seeking meaningful progression and social play without traditional MMO time demands
Puzzle & Dragons x Detective Conan Event Brings New Dungeons and Rewards
Puzzle & Dragons has launched a Detective Conan collaboration event, introducing exclusive dungeons, characters, and limited-time rewards for mobile players from 23 July to 9 August 2026
Helldivers 2 Reveals Bolt Pistol for Warhammer 40,000 Crossover Warbond
Sony has confirmed that Helldivers 2's Warhammer 40,000 crossover will be revealed on 30 July, with the Bolt Pistol officially joining the Legendary Warbond. Further details on weapons, armour and content remain unannounced
Jolly Match 3 MR Unveils Team Adventure Co-op Event and Floating Islands
Jolly Match 3 MR introduces its first team-based event, Team Adventure, launching 27 July. Players will collaborate aboard a steampunk airship, unlock rewards, and explore themed floating islands in a limited-time co-op challenge
Marathon adds Vault Breaker PvE mode and balance changes in new update
Marathon's Mid-Season 2 Update is now live, introducing the experimental Vault Breaker PvE mode, new progression features and a range of balance adjustments across weapons and equipment
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