Live service games are games that continuously update. It’s usually never a fully-completed project that instead gets built upon and, usually, improved as time goes on. These types of games have been gaining more traction in the last few years, but I really first saw it with mobile games. It’s great that more content is added, but it sucks for a lot of the older player base who can’t really dedicate a lot of time to the game like live server games intend. Other interests and games impede on a player’s progress or simply working and doing things in the real world rather than the virtual one.
It can be pretty easy to fall behind in live service games, but that shouldn’t be as big of a fear for players than it is.
Firstly, there’s a need to combat the FOMO (fear of missing out). The game is still there, still updating. Accepting that you need a break from the game or simply to enjoy other interests is a great thing. Players shouldn’t be afraid of missing content if it’s also sucking away their time. Events come and go, good and bad stories are told, and new things get added to the game that likely can be enjoyed later. I think FOMO also arises because of social media pushing players to try things out before they get spoiled or pushing for the newest and latest to get views.
A great way to get through FOMO is to really only come back to the game when an update shows up that really peaks your interest. A battle mechanic, a character, a storyline – all these things should influence your fear of missing out rather than simply wanting the newest, shiniest thing. It may sound like keeping up with the FOMO but it limits the player’s interest in the game to the aspect they really love about the game rather than simply the entirety of the game itself.
The best example I have of this is when Genshin Impact releases a new region. Many players return to the game during this time to check out the new region, see if they enjoy its initial release, and continue or stop playing based on their experience.
With falling behind in live service games, it means that there is a lot of new content. Players likely don’t know what was newly added or only have some semblance of knowledge of what changed. However, coming back to that updated game can feel like a whole new experience. A lot of times, it makes players fall back in love with the game. It’s the same feeling as taking a break from a game and discovering (or rediscovering) what players enjoy about the game that made them put time and effort into it in the first place.
The online community also greatly reduces my own fear of falling behind, even with smaller games. There’s usually some form of community around a game. Things stay on the internet forever as many people have learned and know. Want to share the excitement of the climax point in a story? A love for a character? A frustration over a mechanic? The online community surely is there to share similar sentiments. The fans are there. The best part of a game is that so many people are going through similar experiences that can then be shared with each other.
I understand and have personally experienced the FOMO of live service games. It can be a bit of a challenge to get away from these games, so used to the system they set up and the internet goading up the newest content. However, these games are meant to be enjoyed. They are not meant to stress out players. Falling behind in live service games means coming back to changes in the games and content you have no idea about. It can be an experience that reinvigorates the game for you.
I feel like the best equivalent to this is holding off buying non-live service games. Just because you don’t play it the moment it comes out doesn’t mean you won’t have the same experience playing it three years after its release. I suppose the downside of not upkeeping FOMO with live service games is that their updates may move the game in a direction you don’t agree with or enjoy, but that’s its own topic.
What are your thoughts about the rise of live service games? What kind of things do you do when you fall behind in these games? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below or in our Boss Rush Discord!
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