In a recent survey conducted by the Game Developer Collective, it was revealed that 70 percent of developers harbor doubts about the long-term viability of live service games.
The survey, conducted between February and March this year, involved interviewing 600 developers. Live-service games were defined as online games that receive regular updates and offer in-app purchases.
According to insights shared by Game Developer, 39 percent of respondents expressed mild concerns regarding the sustainability of live-service business models, while 31 percent were very worried, making up a combined total of 70 percent.
The remaining participants either had no concerns or were uncertain about the matter.
The survey further studied the participants’ concerns, with sustainability emerging as the foremost issue.
Among the worries cited, the top concern was players losing interest in live-service games. This was closely followed by the challenges of competing with other live-service games and the growing costs associated with acquiring new users.
Another noteworthy finding from the survey is the increasing trend of paid downloadable content (DLC). Approximately 30 percent of developers surveyed are considering incorporating paid DLC into their next game, marking a nine percent increase compared to their previous releases.
Additionally, the survey reveals that the majority of developers are leaning towards digital releases rather than traditional physical retail releases, aligning with the prevailing industry shift towards digital distribution.
Newzoo’s latest PC and Console Gaming Report, released earlier this month, revealed a striking trend: games aged at least six years old captured over 60 percent of playtime in 2023.
Intriguingly, the top five titles among these seasoned games amassed over 25 percent of total playtime. This elite group includes Fortnite, Roblox, League of Legends, Minecraft, and GTA 5.
While live-service games continue to dominate playtime charts, the sheer dominance of these blockbuster hits raises concerns among developers about long-term competition.
Furthermore, sustainability and stagnant growth remain pivotal factors driving the ongoing wave of mass layoffs plaguing the games industry.
