Service Games Are Not So Much Luck

The biggest change brought by the eighth generation was the massive expansion of gaming services. Instead of creating more games "at once", major publishers have decided instead to release huge games, supported by new content over the years, to constantly attract audiences.

But there was one catch. People don't have time to play 24/7 - this approach has made it impossible to play a large number of different games; The constant stream of new packages and daily testing prevent this. This is the exact opposite of the feedback loop - by selling games for years, publishers were discouraged from buying more games.

Breakpoint from Ubisoft has been delayed.

And just like at the beginning of the generation, games-as-a-service turned out to be a goldmine that seemed endless, prompting publishers to completely change their entire publishing policies. Electronic Arts went off the rails with Anthem, Bethesda crashed with Fallout 76, and Ubisoft's stock plummeted after the release of Breakpoint, the gaming service to end all gaming services.

But this is good news for players, because these defeats are the harbinger of more balanced publishing plans. The first swallow came this year, by the way - Electronic Arts green-lit Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (note, after the unsuccessful launch of another service game, Battlefront 2), a typical single-player game that you can launch, spend X hours in it and, after waiting complete it. Without waiting for new missions, buying new skins, without temporary events. We can expect a similar move from Ubisoft next year, with others likely to follow.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is the antithesis of the approach to game creation that Electronic Arts has wanted to push throughout the year.

Games-services, of course, will not disappear completely, it’s just too late. But betting on this business model next year shouldn't be so reckless; she will be limited to titles where she actually has potential. And the freed up human and financial resources will be invested in more traditional games. Of course, provided that manufacturers really draw conclusions from their mistakes.