The Real Problem With Live Service Games Isn’t the Monetization

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Live service games have faced a lot of criticism, and rightfully so. A major complaint centers around how these games try to make money, with things like battle passes and limited-time items often feeling like constant requests to spend more money, which can be frustrating. However, it’s not just about the cost. Many live service games fail because they don’t understand what really keeps players engaged over the long term.

Great live service games create a sense of a living, developing world where your time and effort feel worthwhile, even after long breaks. When you return after months away, you should feel like your past contributions still have meaning and that you’re part of something lasting, beyond just the latest update. That feeling of connection and continuity – a world that continues to exist and a game that remembers your progress – is what truly sets these games apart. The problem isn’t that developers aim to profit, but rather that many seem to have lost sight of what originally kept players engaged.

The Endless Chase for Engagement

Many popular online games today are stuck in a constant loop of trying to keep players hooked. Developers rush to release regular updates and temporary events to maintain a high number of daily players. This started as a smart business strategy, but it’s now hindering creativity. The issue isn’t the updates themselves, but that they’ve become the main focus of these games. Instead of building experiences that are naturally interesting, many developers prioritize creating short-term excitement, hoping each new feature will keep players engaged until the next one arrives.

The endless cycle of updates and challenges leads to exhaustion for both developers and players. While big updates initially create excitement, that feeling quickly disappears when players realize they’ll soon have to repeat the same effort. When games focus on simply keeping players online for as long as possible, instead of creating truly enjoyable experiences, it’s no wonder many of these games eventually fail.

The idea of a game world that constantly changes and grows is still incredibly promising. A successful “live service” game doesn’t make players feel obligated to keep playing; it earns their continued engagement. Players return because they’re genuinely interested in seeing what’s new, not because they fear missing out. Games like Final Fantasy XIV and Warframe demonstrate this – they consistently add content while also building on existing features, valuing players’ time and dedication. You can’t simply add new content every few weeks and expect players to stay engaged. True engagement happens organically when the game world itself feels compelling and worth revisiting, something many developers and their companies still don’t seem to grasp.

Content Over Connection: How Live Services Lost the Plot

A successful live service game thrives on making players feel connected – to its world, its story, and each other. However, many games have lost sight of this, focusing instead on constantly releasing new content as quickly as possible. While developers often announce big updates with impressive trailers, these additions frequently feel separate from the game’s history. Instead of creating a cohesive experience, they prioritize newness and fleeting trends, which can leave players feeling distant from a game they used to enjoy.

The focus on constantly adding more content, rather than improving what’s already there, is harming many online games. Updates feel like short-term gimmicks instead of meaningful improvements. Players tend to quickly experience new events and then stop playing until the next one appears. The problem is a lack of lasting impact – players don’t feel like their efforts today will matter in the future. When rewards and progress are constantly wiped away or replaced, the core idea behind these games falls apart, and the game often declines and eventually fails.

For a live service game to succeed over the long term, it needs more than just new content – everything needs to connect meaningfully. World of Warcraft is a good example; it does well when each expansion feels like a part of a larger, ongoing story instead of a separate, forgettable event. The most memorable moments are those that make players feel invested in the game’s overall journey, not just temporary rewards. WoW has maintained a live service for many years, but it still struggles with keeping players engaged. A game can be both successful and have engagement problems at the same time, which often results in mixed opinions. However, the fact that WoW is often cited as a successful example demonstrates that developers who prioritize a cohesive story, consistent lore, and meaningful player progression are more likely to create a lasting legacy rather than just releasing endless updates.

What Players Actually Want From Long-Term Games

This brings us to the question of what players actually want from games that are constantly updated. Players aren’t just looking for endless new things to do; they want their time and effort to feel worthwhile long-term. They want to be able to return to a game after months or even years and see that their past achievements still matter. This lasting impact is what truly defines a live service game. Players want to feel like their contributions are part of something meaningful and permanent, not just temporary distractions.

The best live service games create a unique experience you can’t get in single-player games: a constantly evolving world shared with others. It’s special to return to a game you’ve enjoyed for years and see how it’s changed and grown, with familiar places looking different and new players experiencing things you remember fondly. This ongoing connection is what makes these games truly stand out. When successful, they feel like a digital home – a place that changes over time but always holds a sense of history.

The success of live service games won’t come from maximizing sales, but from maintaining a dedicated player base. The key is to recapture the strong community feeling that originally made these games popular – building spaces that feel meaningful and grow over time, not just in player numbers. When developers value players’ time as much as their money, they’ll remember what made these games special and, surprisingly, likely see even more financial success. Live service games shouldn’t just be designed to constantly demand players’ attention, and developers need to remember that – for everyone’s benefit.

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2025-11-07 23:11