重點資訊
The gaming industry is experiencing a significant contraction in the live-service sector. By late January 2025, 15 of 19 major new live-service titles launched that year had lost over 80% of their initial playerbase. Major publishers, including PlayStation and Sega, have cancelled numerous projects, while heavyweights like Fortnite and Apex Legends report declining playtime growth.
Industry experts attribute this downturn to player fatigue and a lack of trust. Starr Long, former director of Ultima Online, notes that frequent game cancellations have left players hesitant to commit. Mark Darrah, an ex-BioWare producer, suggests that the market is realizing that merely releasing a "decent" looter shooter is no longer sufficient to succeed in a crowded environment.
As the live-service model faces potential decline, the industry is seeing a rise in independent developers and new studios founded by veterans. These creators, such as those at Kintsugiyama, are focusing on diverse projects ranging from indie hits to double-A single-player experiences. This shift aims to move beyond the "dark times" of publishers obsessively chasing the next Fortnite.
While the future remains uncertain, analysts like Kat Osman believe the industry will eventually flourish again. The influx of new studios and investor confidence in non-live-service titles suggest a potential healing process for a market previously scarred by over-saturation and derivative content.
