live service

plural live services

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see live, service.
2. uncountablevideo gamesThe model of continuously updating and adding content in a video game after release, especially with the monetization of some or all of such content.

   For single-player-driven titles, they view live service as this: here’s a piece of content every three to six months and that’s it, and maybe there’s one year of support and the game is done.

   2023 March 18, Josh Bycer, “Why Live Service Doesn’t Excite Anymore”, in Game Wisdom

   1 more example

   Sony has had some success with live service, but in a week where it gutted Bungie, the team it bought for $3.7 billion with the intention of establishing a ‘Live Service Centre of Excellence’, it’s hard to say things have gone well.

   2026 June 26, Sammy Barker, “Sony Will Continue to Chase Live Service Dream, Despite Mostly Disastrous Execution to Date”, in Push Square

   Synonyms: games as a service

   1. broadlycountablevideo gamesA video game that uses said model.

      I know that EA mainly wants all its games to be online and to be live services because this is the current tendency.

      2017 December 29, Erpeerpe [username], “How many more years of TS4?”, in EA Forums (reply)

      1 more example

      I would categorize them like Stardew Valley I suppose. Not necessarily a live service, but a product with a long tail akin to how Blizzard uses to support games like WC3 or Diablo 2.

      2024 September 9, GrantDaNasty [username], “How do you define Games as a Service or a Live Service Game?”, in ResetEra (reply)

      Synonyms: games as a service

   2. broadlyuncountablevideo gamesThe elements within a game that are characteristic of said model.

      So no I don't want a store or cosmetic rewards or "live service" in every game I play and I don't think that fixation on loot and rewards has anything to do with being a solo player.

      2024 June 20, Danikat [username], “Question for Solo Players”, in The Elder Scrolls® Online (reply)

      1 more example

      Only reason what^([sic]) I can think of why EA decided to end live service for this game is that their profit is declining and profit needs to be much high^([sic]) for continuing live support any longer, I doubt they will start live service for this game again.

      2020 May 23, quenaelin [username], “Re: Will Battlefront 2 continue to be maintained?”, in EA Forums (post)

      Synonyms: games as a service

1. not comparablevideo gamesRelated to or having a live service model.

   Unplug your internet. Can you play the game? If not, then it's live service.

   2024 February 29, CodingSession [username], “What makes a game a "live service" game?”, in GameFAQs (reply)

   2 more examples

   This year we have a new category @thegameawards : Best Ongoing Game for live service games (including games released in previous years).

   2017 November 11, @geoffkeighley [Geoff Keighley], Twitter (post)

   Live service games and PlayStation have not had the best relationship historically. A major example is Concord, and now Destiny 2 has also joined the list of live-service games that did not turn out well for PlayStation.

   2026 June 26, Sam Sepiol, “PlayStation Wants to ‘Revitalize the Market’ with New Live Service Games”, in Insider Gaming