Summary
Thanks to the success of games likeFortnite, it seems like every single studio these days wants a slice of the live-service genre. It does not matter whether the IP or franchise really fits with the framework, almost everything is getting its own live-service game these days.Marvel’s Avengerstook the Marvel universe to the online space,Grand Theft Autohas been entirely focused onGTA Onlinefor years, and PlayStation has plans for dozens of live-service games with its many IPs. Now, it sounds like WB Games will be following suit with the release ofSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
During a recent Q3 earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery made it pretty clear that WB Games' future may be in the live-service space. Specifically, the studio expects to churn out even more games likeSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguein the future. While some of them may end up being a success, this direction will put the studio in an incredibly difficult position. Interest in the live-service genre has waned in recent years and WB Games seems to specialize in single-player experiences, so this new direction may be a bit jarring for many.
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WB Games' Future Seems to be In Live-Service Games
WB Excels At Publishing Single-Player Superhero Games
WB Games has become a behemoth over the years thanks to its many iconic titles. The publisher has been responsible for hits like theBatman: Arkhamseries,Traveller’s Tales' incredibly popularLEGOvideo games, theMiddle-earthfranchise, the extremely popular fighting seriesMortal Kombat, and even the acclaimedHogwarts Legacy. All of that has really helped it build a pretty successful catalog over the years that will likely only grow as the studios expand these franchises even further.
TheBatman: Arkhamseriesspecifically seems to have built the framework for almost every modern superhero game later to follow. Players fell in love with the story that Rocksteady and WB Games Montreal told, the thrilling gameplay kept them coming back for more, and each new adventure took the concept to new heights.Arkham AsylumandArkham Cityare often considered some of the best superhero games ever created, but for some reason, the studio has chosen to take a very different route going forward.
Players Have Voiced Disinterest in Countless Live-Service Titles
Instead of further building out the single-player adventures of theBatman: Arkhamseries, Rocksteady is expanding the series withthe live-serviceSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. While the game has not been released yet, so far, the fanbase does not seem that interested in it. The game looks to be DC’s version ofMarvel’s Avengers, which ended up failing to make an impact. Plus, the gameplay has looked lackluster when compared to the acclaimedArkhaminstallments that came before it.
It already seems likeSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueis in a bit of a tough spot, yet Warner Bros. wants WB Games to focus on these types of experiences even more. If the studio cannot get players interested in a live-service gameset within Rocksteady’sArkhamverse, then it may be even harder to convince them to jump onto other live-service games, particularly new IPs. Even though nothing has been officially revealed just yet, that direction feels like an extremely risky one, especially as players start turning their backs on the entire concept.
Along with that, having way too many live-service games means that they must start competing with each other. Players only have so many hours in the day to devote to an online game, so if that online game is not exciting enough, then it will just get lost in the crowd. Countless live-service games have already died off in 2023, yet countless more are preparing to rise in their place.
While there may be a lot of money waiting to be made, committing to the concept this much could be disastrous if WB Games does not tread carefully.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as the Suicide Squad to take down the World’s Greatest DC Super Heroes, The Justice League. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, is a genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series.
