Warner Bros' Future Games Will Have 'A Heavy Focus On Live Service'

It makes sense for B4B and Hogwarts, but I really hope they keep that stuff far, far away from the Batman games

What I read into this is a heavy focus on microtransactions!

Live Service = no buy....

Makes sense, almost all there announced games seem to focus on live service style offerings.
Sucidie squad
Arkham knight
Mortal kombat( still going)

Oh ffs! Just make a game and release it! I don't mind big meaty dlc, but small drops just mean I wait for a few years till it's "complete"

Thats gonna be a pass from me then

@everynowandben I think it was kinda foretold that Gotham Knights will very likely have live service inclinations. Doubt they went out of their way to make the game multiplayer just so players can play the campaign coop.

Translated: We don't plan to release complete products and will therefore deliver it as we make it over years of time, one piece at a time. Only after you pay up front for all of it. And then pay some more for the parts we withhold.

Doesn't AT&T still own them? It all seems so clear now.....

@Tharsman Time will tell, but...

“As far as the narrative goes, senior producer Fleur Marty states that this is an entirely self-contained story that doesn't force you to play online with other people. "If you're playing single player, you can be offline if you want to. We think that teaming up and living that dynamic duo fantasy can be also a really great experience for players, but we won't force it on them." Co-op will only ever be for a maximum of two players and you can play the entire game as a single superhero — that's our Batgirl playthrough sorted then.“

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/08/gotham_knights_sounds_like_one_of_the_most_exciting_ps5_projects_yet

Perhaps there will be LS modes or even elements, but it sounds like it will be a fully fleshed out narrative experience. I’ll remain cautiously optimistic for now.

Edit: This is from a part of the same IGN interview, but not referenced in the PushSquare article:

“Is this a game-as-service?

Fleur Marty: "This is very much not designed as a game-as-service. There is an ability tree, which is different for each of the characters, and then there's gear that you craft - and so choices that you're going to be making - but that does not mean that this is a game-as-service.“

https://www.ign.com/articles/batman-gotham-knights-co-op-combat-biggest-questions-answered

I have no objection to Live Service games in general. I won't dismiss a game just because its a live service - but I do think it has to suit the game rather than be forced in because that's trending.

The main issue I have though is that you can't really tell if the game will be 'worth' it at launch as you don't get the 'full' picture of what you are buying and you have to have some 'faith' that the game will deliver on its promise/potential.

I like games that offer new content periodically, a reason to revisit them and have new experiences within their universe - without necessarily having to buy any DLC etc. I know its become synonymous with MTX but as long as these are just cosmetically different and not sold as a chance to obtain, I don't see the issue. If people want them, they can buy the items they want and those that don't, also feel like they are not being penalised or at a disadvantage in some way.

I don't want every game to be a Live service - but choice is great. It does concern me that WB are shifting to the Live Service model rather than looking to make a variety of games that may/may not be Live Service - depending on what's the best for the game and the experience.

@everynowandben
I dunno. I think Arkham Knight could've benefitted from a live service. The map had so many cool buildings and the amount of easter eggs across the map were huge. They could've done so much with those assets - including giving us some proper boss fights down the line!
Maybe they can make good on that here.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Nevermind. I looked at the list and I'm buying all the games except for lego hahahahhahaha

CO-OP BANGERS GAMES!!! (please WB, please)

Luckily, nothing on this list is of any interest to me.

@everynowandben I would love that to be true, but the combo of the canceled sale makes me think they are starving for money and will try to squeeze money via services on all games if they can.

Plus, that whole press line sounds almost copy and paste from The Avengers, and look how that turned out.

@Tharsman Avengers was marketed specifically as a “live service narrative game” for at least 18 months before it released. On the other hand, GK’s senior producer said specifically that GK will not be a live service. I wouldn’t call that a copy and paste.

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I typically prefer cautious optimism to doom and gloom pessimism, especially in cases where there is little to no evidence that I, or anyone else, should be worried whatsoever.

@Atreus97 What you’re describing sounds more like DLC than live service.

Now I can avoid these games! Thanks Warner Bros!

Honestly, it's better to be pessimistic now and be proven wrong, than being overly hyped and disappointed.

I lose nothing by not expecting much out of a game that turns out great.

I lose a lot, now, then, and in between, if I spend time hyping up for a thing that disappoints.

They already said enough about their direction for me to not waste hype on their games.

Ah, good ol Warner Brothers. They just love to disappoint.

Thanks for letting us know....I shall pass.

If they want to do this sort of thing I will just have to get their games off Game Pass, no way I am going to buy a game with that sort of business model.

Then i will have a "heavy focus" on not playing them

Well that's unfortunate.