HardwareFreaks

Tag: Live Service

  • ‘Don’t blame yourselves’ for Destiny 2’s end, community lead tells players: ‘No words can accurately depict how lucky we are to have shared these worlds with you’

    The Age of Destiny is drawing to a close. The live service shooter that once defined an era is winding down, and as the final update rolls out, the community is left pondering how such a monolithic game reached its conclusion.

    It’s a seismic moment for the gaming world, marking the end of TWIDs and prompting wide speculation about the trajectory of one of the genre’s most celebrated franchises. While competitors are baffled by Sony’s decision to pull the plug, many observers suggest that external forces played a role, leading some to argue that corporate management was not the sole villain in this narrative.

    Amidst the shifting landscape, however, the focus quickly turned to the relationship between the developers and their players. The story of Destiny 2 is not just about game mechanics; it’s about community, communication, and the complex bond forged over nearly a decade of shared virtual worlds.

    When questions arose about the studio’s efforts to manage the transition, Bungie communications lead Dylan Gafner stepped forward to address the community’s concerns directly. In response to inquiries about whether they could do more to assist with the situation, Gafner offered a powerful message centered on gratitude and shared experience.

    “You all have done more for this game and our studio than could ever be imagined,” Gafner stated. He reassured the community that there was no need for self-blame, emphasizing that the community’s dedication was immense, and that the current path is simply “the way it goes sometimes.”

    This reflection speaks to a history layered with highs and lows. As with many massive endeavors, there were undoubtedly rough patches in the relationship between the studio and some segments of the player base over the years. Bungie navigated these complexities, including facing persistent abuse and threats from some members of the community.

    In response to this tension, the studio took steps to protect its staff, resulting in reduced communications while they worked on implementing new protections and strategies. This effort eventually led to the creation of an anonymized social media account for the Destiny 2 Team, a move designed to foster a healthier environment for everyone involved.

    Bungie also demonstrated a commitment to accountability by pursuing legal action against particularly abusive fans, securing a significant win that highlighted the studio’s resolve in protecting itself and its team.

    Ultimately, despite the inevitable friction, the overwhelming sentiment among the vast majority of players remained one of respect and appreciation. Even through the turbulence, a shared love for the game endured, leaving behind a legacy built on those unforgettable experiences. Gafner’s concluding message resonated deeply: “No matter the future, we will always have these memories. Thank you. For everything.”

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    Credit: PC Gamer

  • Path of Exile co-creator used to think ‘live service was entirely upside, in all cases’, but 10 years of experience and games like Baldur’s Gate 3 have shown him another way

    It is easy to dismiss live service games as inherently toxic for the industry. We sit back and critique the system from a comfortable distance, yet we are all participants in this evolving landscape. For a long time, however, that model seemed less like an industry trend and more like the inevitable future of gaming.

    A person who fully bought into that vision of potential was Chris Wilson, co-creator of the hugely successful title Path of Exile. After leaving Grinding Gear Games in 2023, Wilson has channeled his experience into a new game studio and a YouTube channel, sharing his evolving thoughts on what drives modern game development.

    In recent discussions about game evolution, Wilson revealed a significant ideological shift regarding live service. Ten years ago, he felt that this model was entirely positive. He argued that the variable monetization meant more accessibility—a game could be free, and players didn’t need to spend massive amounts to engage. The constant updates provided endless content, fulfilling the promise of perpetual evolution.

    However, as time has passed and deep experience has been gained, Wilson realized this optimism was too simple. He pointed out that while the concept sounds like a win-win on paper, it often hides significant drawbacks related to design choices and community dynamics. Constant need for change, pressure from feedback, and the risk of release being boycotted or review bombed if changes are made felt like heavy burdens.

    This realization is crucial: games that remain finished, polished, and complete often avoid this intense pressure because there is no expectation for further patches or updates. This contrast brings into focus why we are seeing a mass graveyard of live service games plaguing the industry today.

    While Wilson acknowledges that he was not necessarily trying to dismiss specific live service titles—as he helped create some of them—he made a clear point: there are many different ways to monetize a game, and every approach carries its own set of consequences. The pendulum is now swinging back toward games that prioritize completion and polished experiences over continuous evolution.

    Consider the massive success and thoughtful design of titles like Baldur’s Gate 3. This game exemplified a finished, meticulously polished experience that incorporated deep community feedback during its extensive early access period with numerous significant patches.

    It is perhaps time for the industry to embrace this shift. The focus should move toward crafting complete, satisfying experiences where the dopamine hit comes from finishing a journey, rather than endlessly chasing the next update. It’s an exciting new chapter for game development, prioritizing quality and lasting impact over perpetual service.

    Credit: PC Gamer

  • Bungie’s at a crossroads: Should Destiny 3 be a live service, just a campaign, or something else entirely?

    The age of the seasonal grind is officially over. With the final update arriving, Destiny 2’s sprawling live-service experience is calcified—no more fear of missing out, no need to constantly re-grind gear, and the exhausting seasonal treadmill has finally ground to a halt. For many players, this cessation marks less an ending and more a profound sense of liberation.

    It’s natural to feel a touch of sadness when a beloved game concludes its run, but there is a palpable sense of relief too. Seasonal updates often felt less like organic content flow and more like a mandated chore. While the gameplay itself was fantastic, the structure sometimes felt designed around external pressure rather than player enjoyment.

    The shift to freedom is perhaps the most satisfying part. Players are now free to engage with the world of Destiny at their own pace, diving into activities they genuinely want to pursue without the relentless clock ticking down on seasonal objectives or mandatory gear rolls. This liberation allows the core experience to breathe and lets players focus purely on the narrative and the sheer scope of the universe.

    This reflection naturally brings up an interesting dichotomy: why did this live-service model, which offered infinite content, ultimately falter? The attempt by Bungie to sustain such a massive, continually updated game proved immensely challenging. Live service games require enormous resources, and in the case of Destiny, forcing content into a weekly cadence proved unsustainable, especially when compared to other models where content is delivered in more focused, expansive bursts.

    Paradoxically, while the business model struggled for Bungie, the community seems happier with the game in its current state. People are enjoying the legacy and the newly available content, but the real victory lies in enjoying Destiny without the inherent pressure of perpetual obligation. This sense of contentment suggests that the focus should shift from maximizing content output to maximizing player freedom.

    Looking ahead to a potential Destiny 3, the design choices will be critical. There is the temptation for an MMO-like subscription model designed entirely from the ground up as a live service, but that path presents significant economic hurdles given the current landscape of the market and previous structural issues within the franchise.

    A more grounded approach might involve smaller, focused expansions or spin-offs to tell stories within the Destiny universe, reminiscent of other successful franchises. This respects the established lore while offering players focused campaigns. While this approach might feel like a downsizing of a massive series, it addresses past frustrations and allows for a fresh start.

    Ultimately, the future of Destiny rests on recognizing what worked and what didn’t. The core issues—like player onboarding, content management, and the legacy of past systems—must be addressed to ensure that the universe can thrive long-term. Change is necessary, but hopefully, it will be a change that honors the incredible world players have invested in for years.

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    Credit: PC Gamer