Chasing Fortnite: Why Big Studios Are Still Betting on Live Service
Image Credit: Fortnite | Written by Andrew Bame
The 2025 GDC State of the Game Industry report has spoken: live service games are still a thing. Despite some folks predicting their doom after a few high-profile failures (cough Concord), a third of "triple-A developers" are currently working on them. Apparently, big publishers just can’t quit the dream of becoming the next Fortnite.
So, Who’s Making These Games?
About 16% of all surveyed developers said they’re working on live service games. Unsurprisingly, the big-budget studios are leading the charge—because making and maintaining these games isn’t exactly cheap.
Interestingly, while plenty of people are working on them, only 13% of respondents said they’re excited to make a live service game next. Meanwhile, 42% gave a hard “no thanks,” and the rest shrugged and said, “Maybe?”
Why Bother with Live Service Games?
Some developers see a lot of value in the live service model. Joe Tung, a producer from Halo and Destiny days, once said that live service games are great for both players and developers because they let you “think long term.” His studio, Theorycraft Games, is currently working on Supervive—a game that’s part MOBA, part battle royale, part…hero shooter? (It sounds like a buffet of genres, honestly.)
Others point out benefits like community building and steady income streams. On the flip side, some developers have serious concerns about the model. Complaints include:
Market Saturation: Everyone’s making one, so good luck standing out.
Player Fatigue: Gamers can only juggle so many “forever games” before they just…don’t.
Creative Stagnation: Chasing trends can stifle innovation.
Developer Burnout: Constant updates mean constant crunch. Fun.
The Risks Are Real
When live service games hit, they hit hard (see: Apex Legends or Warframe). But when they miss, it’s like tripping over your shoelaces in front of a crowd. Just ask Rocksteady, which faced layoffs after Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League flopped, or Firewalk Studios, which shut down entirely after Concord bombed. Even successful games demand non-stop content, which can push developers to the brink. Remember the stories of crunch at Fortnite? Yeah, it’s rough.
Is This Just a Western Thing?
The GDC survey had some limitations. Most respondents came from the U.S., U.K., Canada, or Australia. Developers in China and other non-Western nations weren’t well represented. So, while the results give us a snapshot, they don’t necessarily reflect the global industry.
Also, what exactly makes someone a “triple-A developer” is anyone’s guess. Big studio? Huge budget? Fancy coffee machines in the office? We may never know.
Final Blurb
Despite the bumps, major studios aren’t ready to quit live service games. Even Sony, which pulled back after Concord, hasn’t thrown in the towel completely. And Warner Bros.? They’re doubling down, betting on live service and free-to-play to smooth out the financial rollercoaster of big-budget releases.
Love them or hate them, live service games aren’t going anywhere just yet. So, buckle up and get ready for more battle passes, updates, and servers to yell at when they crash.
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