Live-service games have been taking over the gaming industry in recent years, with a plethora of new titles being released or announced. However, not all gamers are keen on diving into these live-service worlds that require constant attention and dedication. Some players prefer well-made single-player experiences that offer a compelling story and gameplay.
One such game that has captured the attention of gamers is Baldur’s Gate 3. Despite being a single-player game with optional multiplayer features, Baldur’s Gate 3 has managed to peak at approximately 100,000 concurrent players on Steam alone. This figure reached 112,000 on July 21st, showcasing the game’s popularity and success.
Unlike many live-service titles, Baldur’s Gate 3 has garnered critical acclaim, winning numerous awards and boasting a Metacritic score of 96%. This success highlights the fact that gamers are still interested in engaging and immersive single-player experiences that offer quality storytelling and gameplay.
On the other hand, some live-service games like Concord and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League have struggled to attract a substantial player base. Concord, a paid release aiming to compete in the Hero Shooter genre, saw a peak of just over 2,300 players during its beta testing on Steam. Similarly, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which added online mechanics to the beloved Arkham series, only peaks at around 300 players on Steam and holds a low rating on OpenCritic.
The contrasting performances of these games emphasize the diversity of preferences among gamers. While live-service games continue to dominate the market, there is still a significant demand for high-quality single-player experiences like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. These games may not always top the Steam charts filled with live-service titles, but they offer a different gaming experience that appeals to many players.
As the gaming industry evolves, it will be intriguing to see how the balance between live-service games and single-player experiences shifts. Gamers are encouraged to choose their games wisely and not become too emotionally invested in live-service titles that may fade away quickly. Ultimately, the success of a game lies in its ability to captivate and engage players, whether through a rich single-player narrative or a constantly evolving live-service world.