Gamers often encounter negativity online when discussing live service games. Common complaints include fear of missing out (FOMO) due to limited-time events, rocky game launches, worries about how long the game will be supported, and concerns about how much money the game tries to get from players. Recent failures, like Sony shutting down studios like Bluepoint Games, have made the genre even less popular. However, I’ve never fully agreed with the negativity surrounding these games, even though I’m starting to have my own reservations about them.
It’s always puzzled me when gamers dismiss entire types of games as unimportant or group them all together. Doing so means they could miss out on some really amazing experiences. I’ve seen friends avoid fantastic games like Wolfenstein: The New Colossus simply because they don’t like first-person shooters. Likewise, some players refuse to try multiplayer games, believing they’re inferior to single-player ones, and get upset when games like Overwatch receive more recognition than their preferred single-player titles. This kind of negativity and feeling of superiority is frustrating, and it’s especially damaging when applied to games that are constantly updated – often leading players to overlook great games and even contribute to their downfall.
It’s true that many live-service games haven’t succeeded, but some have become amazing experiences, like Final Fantasy 14. Games such as Fallout 76 and No Man’s Sky have dramatically improved over time, Destiny 2 has delivered compelling stories, and Overwatch has introduced a lot of beloved characters. More recently, Helldivers 2 became a huge hit, and Fortnite and Apex Legends remain popular choices for many players. If gamers reject all live-service games, we risk losing out on these kinds of great experiences. This negativity makes me hesitant to get excited about new games in this genre.
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Gamers Deciding What Titles Live and Die is Exhausting
Concord Was a Heartbreaker
The game Concord is a prime example of gamers quickly turning against a particular type of game. PlayStation’s hero shooter received a lot of negativity as soon as it was announced, with many criticizing its choice of genre and its similarities to Guardians of the Galaxy. This happened at a time when some Marvel Cinematic Universe projects weren’t doing well, and the popular game Overwatch was also struggling, which made people view the hero shooter genre negatively overall. As a result, Concord was heavily criticized online even before anyone could play it, with some people specifically calling out its uninspired character designs and $40 price tag. Interestingly, most players who did try Concord actually enjoyed it, praising its beautiful environments, engaging gameplay, and plans for ongoing story updates.
I really enjoyed Concord from the start. The beta was great, and I bought the game with my friends, hoping it would be something we could play for a long time. I’d seen complaints about the price, but I hoped it wouldn’t ruin the game. Sadly, it did. It felt unfair that games like Helldivers 2 could charge a price, but hero shooters were expected to be free. But the online community had already made up its mind. My friends and I barely had time to learn the ropes with IT-Z and the maps before we received refunds. It was frustrating because it was clear many of the people criticizing Concord hadn’t even tried it. The game’s developer, Firewalk Studios, ended up closing down, leaving a lot of talented people without jobs, all because of complaints about the character designs and a $40 price tag.
Highguard: A Potential Forever Game That Never Was
I was pretty bummed after my last favorite multiplayer game ended, and I was hoping to find a new one to play with my friends. When Highguard was revealed at The Game Awards 2025, I thought I’d finally found it – especially since my coworkers were all excited about it. I quickly downloaded the game, imagining fun bear-riding battles, but then I saw the announcement: Highguard was shutting down. Not wanting to get invested in something that would soon be unplayable, I deleted it right away, without even starting a game.
I was frustrated to see the negative reaction to the game Highguard online. While it wasn’t a smart move to showcase an unknown hero shooter at a major event, that was the event organizer’s call. Reports suggested Highguard was a promising game that was actively improving based on player feedback, even adding a 5v5 mode quickly. But online, things are so extreme – everything is either amazing or terrible, and there’s no room for games that are just decent. As a result, people mocked Highguard without even trying it, likely just following trends or repeating opinions from their favorite online personalities. Sadly, this negativity led to the studio closing and the game being abandoned, even though some players might have really enjoyed it.
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Marathon is the Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back
It seems like a game’s initial announcement now heavily determines its success or failure. If a game enters a currently unpopular genre, online communities often quickly dismiss it and relentlessly criticize it. Bungie’s Marathon is a prime example. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics – scoring in the 80s on Opencritic – it’s been targeted by a wave of negativity, including review bombing and hateful comments across Twitch and online forums, with some people seemingly wanting it to fail. While player numbers haven’t met Sony’s expectations and they’re working to improve that, Marathon has actually been the most searched game on SteamDB for over two months. The likely reason is a surprisingly large number of players are actively hoping the game will fail, constantly checking its player count and anticipating its downfall.
Players of the game Marathon might be checking how many people are playing on Steam, possibly because they’re worried about the game’s long-term support and are hoping to see player numbers increasing.
I really love the game Marathon, even though I’ve had some frustrating experiences with opponents. It’s disheartening to see people criticize a game they don’t even play, and it worries me about the future of Marathon. As of now, the game is still going strong – Sony has confirmed they’ll continue supporting it, even after taking a financial hit related to Bungie. That’s encouraging, but after seeing games like Concord and Highguard get cancelled, and with so many people eager to say they predicted failure, I’m still anxious that Marathon will be shut down at any moment. This constant worry is frustrating because gaming should be enjoyable, and it’s making me hesitant to invest in new online games. I just don’t want to become attached to something only to have it taken away by those who don’t genuinely care about it.
I Love Several Live Service Games, But I Can’t Take the Heartache Anymore
It’s a little disappointing that I can’t play every season of all the live service games I like, but the good parts of this genre definitely make up for it. I really enjoy having games like Overwatch and Marvel Rivals that I can return to whenever I want and always find something new. I’d love to play Diablo 4, Battlefield 6, Destiny 2, and others more consistently, but having to choose doesn’t make me want these types of games to disappear. It seems odd to me when people criticize others for enjoying things – letting people have fun is usually a good approach to entertainment, or at least it should be.
I had hoped to play Concord for a long time, and while I’d like the same for Marathon, I don’t expect it unless the game unexpectedly becomes very popular. I’m planning to play fewer games that are constantly updated with new content, but that’s not because I think those types of games are inherently bad, or that there are too many similar games. Saying that is too simplistic, and every genre has a lot of options – there are plenty of challenging ‘soulslike’ games and open-world games, but people are generally more patient with those. I’m just weary of seeing games I enjoy get abandoned, or worrying that the games I’m currently playing will lose support too quickly. From now on, I’ll only invest in live service games that seem stable and have proven they can last for a while without facing constant criticism and negativity. It’s frustrating that I have to approach games this way, but given how quickly gamers can be critical and harsh, it feels necessary.
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2026-05-10 23:37