The video game industry has seen a shift away from live service games, as both Sony and Warner Bros. have experienced failures in this area. Warner Bros. lost $300 million chasing after the success of Fortnite, with losses from games like Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League and MultiVersus. Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav has announced a focus on just four core franchises moving forward: Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, Game Of Thrones, and DC, particularly Batman.
Sony, on the other hand, has also faced challenges with live service games, with their biggest flop being Concord. While Sony has not publicly discussed their future plans, they have hinted at a more sensible approach in their latest earnings results. Senior vice president Sadahiko Hayakawa emphasized the importance of a balanced portfolio that includes both single-player games and live service games that pursue upside while acknowledging the risks involved.
Lessons will be learned from past failures like Concord, with Sony potentially looking at Bungie’s Marathon as their next live service game. The focus on quality single-player games, which have a higher predictability of success, seems to be the direction that both Sony and Warner Bros. are heading towards. Sony has announced Ghost Of Yōtei for release in 2025, signaling a potential return to more single-player game development.
Overall, the industry seems to be recognizing the limitations and risks associated with live service games, with a renewed focus on quality and proven franchises. Both Sony and Warner Bros. are adjusting their strategies to ensure a more balanced and successful approach to game development in the future.
