Harold Ryan, the former CEO of Bungie, a studio known for popularizing live-service games like Halo and Destiny, now states that players are signaling, through their spending habits, that this model isn`t suitable for every game. Speaking to GI.biz, Ryan clarified that while the live-service approach fits certain titles, it`s not universally applicable, and consumers are making that clear.
The live-service gaming trend appears to be deflating, with many games in this category underperforming or being discontinued. Notable examples include “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” and “Concord,” alongside many other lesser-known titles that have also ceased operations.
A significant portion of player engagement is concentrated within a select few live-service titles. This trend helps explain why many other games adopting the live-service model struggle to find success, though various other elements also contribute to their performance.
For instance, 2K`s “Mafia: The Old Country” was priced at $50, reflecting the publisher`s belief in a market for more affordable, linear games that don`t demand extensive time investments from players.
After 16 years, Ryan departed Bungie in 2016 to establish ProbablyMonsters. This company provides “early stage infrastructure” and support to game developers. ProbablyMonsters recently unveiled its first two titles: “Storm Lancers,” a rogue-like action game for Nintendo Switch, and “Ire: A Prologue,” a psychological horror game for PC. Notably, ProbablyMonsters previously owned Firewalk Studios, the developer behind “Concord,” which was acquired by Sony in 2023 before Sony decided to cancel the game and close the studio in 2024.
Ryan indicated his willingness to develop another live-service game, provided it had “the right game idea and the right audience.” However, he cautioned against prioritizing a business model over game concept, stating that for the industry`s sustained health and developer careers, “we can`t just pick a business model and say that`s a reason to make a game.”
Meanwhile, Bungie has experienced considerable restructuring, including widespread layoffs and a major studio reorganization in 2024. Their upcoming title, “Marathon,” is also a live-service game, which publisher Sony is optimistic will avoid the issues faced by “Concord.” Originally slated for a September release, “Marathon” has been indefinitely delayed. Despite the setbacks with “Concord,” both Sony and Ubisoft continue to commit to the live-service model.
Reflecting on Bungie`s internal challenges, Ryan commented that the studio seems to be in a position common to much of the industry, where previously dependable strategies are no longer yielding reliable results.
Ryan expressed his hope that game developers globally can discover “sustainable business models” that both satisfy players and generate sufficient income for studios to cover their operational costs.
He concluded by acknowledging that “everyone can`t be the number one most successful game in the industry,” but expressed optimism that “we all could be shipping successful games.”