Live-service games are known for their continued development cycle, lasting long after the game is released. Ultima Online (UO), for example, is a game that launched in 1997 and is still getting new updates in 2023. For those who have enjoyed UO for over 25 years, they hope that the content patches, bug fixes, and quality-of-life improvements keep coming.
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Gamers who love traditional game franchises probably want their favorite developers to make more of those games. But those who prefer live-service games don’t want a new game, they want their current game to continue getting better over time. If you want to invest your time into a game that will stand the test of time, these are the best live-service games.
10Warframe
Originally launched in 2013,Warframemay be the most popular and successful game that you haven’t played. This third-person shooter is a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) role-playing game (RPG) that has a dedicated player base on both console and PC.
With incredible lore, unique game design, deep RPG elements, and enthralling atmospheres, Warframe has fine-tuned its universe over the last 10 years. Highlighted by its intense farming options and amazing sci-fi aesthetics, Warframe has carved out a unique niche in the shooter & MMO genres. If you like intense visuals, mechs, and sci-fi RPGs that always have something to do, play Warframe.
9Apex Legends
Using their expertise from the amazingTitanfallgames,Respawn Entertainmenttook their shot at the Battle Royale genre withApex Legends. This hero shooter sees teams of 3 taking on other squads in a shrinking play area. With compelling characters, interesting designs, and superb mechanics, Apex Legends is one of the best shooters or Battle Royales out there.
Expanding on its roster of characters, rolling out new maps, and adding new weapons, Apex Legends is far from the game that it used to be. If you want a shooter that plays as smooth as butter and always gets new content, look no further.
8Grand Theft Auto 5
For anyone who wants a single game to have everything they could ever want,Grand Theft Auto 5delivers. From heists to races, Los Santos Customs to the Diamond Casino, you should never be bored in GTA 5.
Whether you want to create your own little slice of Los Santos or you want to destroy as much of the city as you can, GTA 5 has near-endless possibilities. If you don’t know where to begin or what to do next, steal a car and take a joyride. Then see how much mayhem you can get into before the cops come for you - get wild.
7Final Fantasy 14
Throughout its lifespan,Final Fantasy XIVhas seen wide-sweeping changes that have forever altered its universe (for the better). Launching in 2010, then relaunching in 2013, FFXIV is Square Enix’s successful attempt at making a live-service game and a living world.
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What makes FFXIV stand out among the crowded Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) genre, are its immersive world and robust role-playing elements. With an amazing story, a plethora of creative options, and a world that draws you in, FFXIV hooks you quickly and keeps you coming back with its charm.
Founded in 2006,Riot Gameshas since solidified its pedigree as a live-service games juggernaut. Their First-Person Shooter (FPS)Valorantwas an instant breakout success. This free-to-play title combined the genres of tactical and hero shooters to make something new yet familiar.
With a best-in-class business model for free-to-play games, Valorant has no pay-to-win mechanics - everything paid for is cosmetic or early access. New heroes that join the battle can be unlocked sooner with real money, however, simply playing the game will get you everything you need. In addition, new maps, modes, and balance changes always keep the game current and competitive.
5League of Legends
Starting with 40 playable champions in 2009 and reaching over 160 and counting in 2023,League of Legends(LoL) is the definition of growth. Building on the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) format that began withDefense of the Ancients(DotA), Riot Games has built an empire with LoL.
Through persistent balance patches, new systems, bug fixes, gameplay changes, and a strong community presence, LoL redefined what was possible out of the MOBA genre. Noteworthy for their Esports presence, cosplay inspirations, and involvement with their player base, LoL is a cultural phenomenon that’s here to stay.
Whether you’ve playedFortnitefor a thousand hours or you’ve never even installed it, you’ve undoubtedly heard of this meteoric title. Bringing the Battle Royale genre to the attention of millions of people for the first time, Fortnite transcended gaming culture and broke into mainstream consciousness.
Like the Nintendo Wii console when it first hit the market, Fortnite is so popular that its presence reached worldwide pop culture. Not resting on their laurels, Epic Games has consistently added new skins, game modes, points of interest, and updates to the game’s systems to keep their game fresh.
3Counter-Strike
The premier game for Esports,Counter-Strikehas had a long and storied history. Stemming from a game mod within the Half-Life universe and spinning off into a series of games that have reached unprecedented audiences, Counter-Strike is an institution.
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Hitting their stride with the overwhelming success ofCounter-Strike Global Offensive(CSGO), Valve shifted the franchise into free-to-play. Funded by completely optional microtransactions like gun skins and other cosmetics, CSGO never requires your credit card. Now the preeminent PC shooter, Counter-Strike is known for its high skill ceiling and unlimited replayability.
2Destiny 2
After parting ways with Microsoft and leavingHalobehind, the developers at Bungie needed a new intellectual property (IP). After creating and working on 5 Halo games over 10 years, Bungie decided that their new IP would be a live-service game.
Within the universe ofDestiny, Bungie created a living world. Set in a science-fiction universe set far in the future, Destiny is a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game that has both Player vs Environment (PvE) and Player vs Player (PvP) content. Launched in 2017 and punctuated by expansion packs and content drops, Destiny 2 has only gotten better and more robust over time.
1World of Warcraft
If in 2004 you wanted to start playing a game that would last over 20 years, continually grow over time, and add new ways to play,World of Warcraft(WoW) would have fit all your needs. What started as a new twist on a classic Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) template, WoW has since become the undisputed leader in the genre.
With Retail WoW constantly pushing the envelope for what’s possible in an MMO and Classic WoW returning players to a state of the game that some deem perfect, WoW has something for everyone. Going on 9 world-changing expansion packs and counting, WoW has set the standard for what a live-service game can be.
