Best Live-Service Games To Start In 2026

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There are tons of live-service games available now, covering all kinds of genres. Whether you enjoy huge online worlds or fast-paced shooting games, there’s something for every player. With the new year here, it’s a great time to check out some of the best options.

Live-service games often get a bad reputation because of games that have been cancelled or stopped receiving updates, and concerns about how well they’re supported. But even with those issues, there are still plenty of fantastic live-service games that players can enjoy for a long time.

While we will mainly focus on existing live-service games, two upcoming titles are also included.

League Of Legends

Patch After Patch

Details:

  • Bi-weekly updates ranging from balance changes to content drops
  • Constant meta shifts and endless options to choose and learn

League of Legends is a hugely popular game that has attracted millions of players and viewers over the past decade. However, it can be quite complex, and new players often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of champions, items, and game mechanics, which can discourage them from continuing.

The game used to be quite difficult, but it’s become much more approachable in recent years thanks to new features and improvements. The developers are even testing WASD controls, which will make it easier for players familiar with standard gaming setups. Plus, regular updates every few weeks add fresh content, so there’s always something new to discover and master.

ARC Raiders

Defining The Extraction Shooter Space

Details:

  • Fresh shooter with a lot of hype and success behind it
  • Content roadmaps already in place

ARC Raiders has quickly become a standout shooter, shaking up expectations for both extraction shooters and live-service games. Its distinct setting and enjoyable gameplay make it easy to pick up and play, and it’s surprisingly accessible – it’s designed to appeal to more casual gamers than many other titles in this often competitive and challenging genre.

Now is a great time to start playing because the game is still new and exciting. While the initial buzz has calmed down, a strong community remains, fueled by the developers’ clear plans for future content and the fun, unique experience each match offers. If you’ve never played an extraction shooter before, this game is a fantastic place to begin.

Valorant

If MOBAs Aren’t For You

Details:

  • Easy to learn yet hard to master
  • Iterative changes that offer enough incentive to keep playing

Valorant is Riot Games’ second major game, and it’s just as strong as their popular title, League of Legends. It blends the strategic elements of tactical shooters with precise shooting mechanics and unique character abilities, making it enjoyable for everyone from casual gamers to competitive esports players.

With the new year comes a fresh start for players, offering a chance to begin climbing the ranks or jump into ranked play for the first time. Although the main gameplay doesn’t change dramatically with each update, small additions like new character skins and adjustments to game balance help keep things interesting for dedicated players.

Counter-Strike 2

The Premier Multiplayer Shooter

Details:

  • Best state the game has ever been in
  • Stable balance state with so much content to help new players

CS2 continues to be a leading multiplayer shooter, offering a polished and refined gaming experience. While the transition from CS:GO had some initial challenges, the game has steadily improved to meet player expectations in both gameplay and graphics.

Okay, so I’ve been telling all my friends who haven’t tried CS2 yet that it’s actually a really good game to jump into, especially if you’re new to live-service titles. The basics are super easy to pick up, and honestly, the way the game plays hasn’t changed much over the years. And if you like things a bit slower and more strategic – needing to really think about your moves – nothing else really compares to CS2. It’s just the king of that style of shooter.

Warframe

Taking Sci-Fi To New Heights

Details:

  • Large updates year-round
  • F2P structure that never leans into paywalls

Warframe has become a uniquely successful shooter game, standing out from the competition. It’s a top-tier shooter RPG, offering players a compelling story, exciting gameplay, and consistent improvements with each update.

Honestly, what’s gonna keep me hooked in 2026 is just how much stuff they keep adding. They’re constantly dropping new content – sometimes it’s little bits, other times it’s huge expansions. It means if you’re new to the game, there’s a TON to do right away, and you know there’ll be even more coming later. It’s awesome!

No Man’s Sky

Space Has Never Looked So Good

Details:

  • Huge additions every few months
  • Most cohesive game state after countless updates

No Man’s Sky has made an incredible comeback. Once considered a major disappointment, it’s now widely regarded as one of the best space exploration games available. It’s difficult to truly understand the game’s vast universe without playing it yourself, but it’s far from empty. Instead, players will find a universe overflowing with unique planets and exciting discoveries.

The game has improved dramatically since its initial release, and the developers are planning even more features and gameplay options. Currently, it offers a great mix of complexity and ease of use – there’s a huge amount of content to explore, but it’s still welcoming to new players.

Genshin Impact

Your Next Gaming Addiction

Details:

  • Frequent releases to satisfy new and returning players
  • Expansive story arcs and late-game content

Genshin Impact continues to be a top-tier live-service game, largely due to its huge and constantly growing open world filled with quests, stories, and ongoing events. It’s a visually impressive game that blends RPG elements with exciting action, keeping players engaged every time they play.

This game is free to play, letting you enjoy the complete story and all its content without spending any money. It’s incredibly accessible and offers a huge amount of gameplay – potentially for hundreds of hours – and it’s constantly being updated with new things to discover and do.

Fortnite

Changing Live-Service Forever

Details:

  • Satisfying gameplay loop with very few barriers to entry
  • Cosmetic drops and interesting map changes

Whether you enjoy it or not, Fortnite is a prime example of successful live-service game design. It avoids paywalls and expensive add-ons, instead offering regular updates – everything from small gameplay tweaks to major map overhauls that dramatically change how the game is played.

The game has changed a lot over time, offering players many more creative tools and ways to play, including options beyond the classic battle royale. Whether you prefer playing solo or with friends, there’s something for everyone, and it’s all available without spending extra money or downloading anything additional.

Upcoming Live-Service Game: Highguard

Something New For The Hero Shooter Space

Details:

  • Impressive shooter from seasoned developers
  • Intriguing setting and world design

Highguard could be the next breakout hit in the first-person shooter world. Created by the talented team behind Titanfall 2 and Apex Legends, this game promises a fresh experience with unique characters and a brand-new setting.

Many new first-person shooter games are coming out, but Highguard stands out because of the experienced team behind it. While fans have long hoped for Titanfall 3, Highguard could be the game they’ve been waiting for.

Upcoming Live-Service Game: Hytale

Coming back From The Grave

Details:

  • Blending sandbox freedom with RPG elements
  • Active development from passionate players

Hytale is a game many remember hearing about, but have since forgotten. Development started in 2015, and when Riot Games bought the studio in 2020, it looked like the game’s launch was on track for success. However, in mid-2025, Riot unexpectedly cancelled the project, leading to a strong reaction from the community who campaigned to save it after years of anticipation.

Good news! The original creators are back involved with the project, and it’s now entering early access. Many players are excited about the promised RPG experience, which they hope will feel similar to Minecraft. As a completely new game, it’s a great opportunity for the community to learn and grow together, making it ideal for anyone searching for their next favorite RPG.

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2026-01-10 15:38