The live-service gaming industry is facing a harsh reality check as another highly anticipated game, Highguard, bites the dust. This free-to-play squad shooter, developed by Wildlight Entertainment, is shutting down just months after its launch, leaving many players and industry watchers scratching their heads.
Highguard's demise is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by developers and publishers in the live-service gaming space. Despite reaching an impressive 2 million players, the game failed to sustain a long-term player base, leading to its permanent shutdown on March 12th.
But here's where it gets controversial: Wildlight Entertainment, founded by former developers from renowned franchises like Apex Legends and Call of Duty, laid off most of its staff in February. This move, coupled with the sudden shutdown of the Highguard website, sparked concerns that the game's future was uncertain.
And this is the part most people miss: the live-service gaming model, characterized by its continuous updates and player engagement, has become an increasingly risky venture. Publishers and developers are chasing the success stories of games like Fortnite, with their massive player counts and steady revenue streams. However, the reality is that breaking into this space is incredibly difficult, with very few success stories to emulate.
Take, for instance, the infamous shutdown of Sony's sci-fi shooter Concord, which was canned within weeks of its release, despite being in development for a staggering eight years. Or consider the recent layoffs at Riot Games, the developers behind League of Legends, which affected their new fighting game 2XKO shortly after launch.
These incidents highlight the growing trend of short-lived live-service games. While publishers continue to pursue this model, the challenges of maintaining a sustainable player base and generating consistent revenue remain daunting. Even single-player-focused studios like Remedy, known for Alan Wake, have ventured into live-service releases with mixed results.
Despite the setbacks, the live-service chase persists. Sony, for example, continues to invest in upcoming games like Marathon and a Horizon spinoff, despite scaling back its live-service ambitions in the past.
So, is the live-service gaming model a sustainable path for the industry? Or are we witnessing a bubble waiting to burst? What are your thoughts on the future of live-service gaming? Feel free to share your opinions and engage in the discussion below!
