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It has next to nothing to show for it.

The trend is obvious, but also easy to buck.

Concord

Suicide Squad was the unfortunate casualty of a poor initial reveal and general superhero fatigue.

But there’s a core theme running through all of these big wins and losses.

The live service push exists because major studio executives want the guaranteed income streams that come with major hits.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Sony was thought to have 12 live service games in development not that long ago.

Manor Lords

Screenshot from Spectre Divide, showing a character in a purple jumpsuit and full face mask aiming their gun.

Helldivers 2 screenshot showing someone using a big gun

Marathon weapon and Runner screenshots

Vampire Survivors

Helldivers 2 Warbond

Destiny 2 Lightfall

Call of Duty High Art event

A screenshot shows the Siren Vex standing in Borderlands 4

One of the new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4

The Doom Slayer riding a demon dragon during the Doom: The Dark Ages trailer.

A tattooed man in the sci-fi setting of La Quimera

a gun that fires a metal ball attached to a chain for recall

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle screenshot of Indiana dressed as priest, looking over a book

Days Gone Remastered protagonist Deacon running from hundreds of zombies in the rain

PS5 Pro reveal from trailer

The cast of Thunderbolts standing in an elevator during the trailer for the upcoming Marvel Phase 5 movie.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 screenshot of the Paintress painting the number 33 onto a distant pillar while Gustave and Sophie watch from the harbor port, framed by a circle of light

Absolute Martian Manhunter #2

Articulate box, cards, board, and tokens on a wooden table

Logan Kim as Hershel and Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2