Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 are two titles that have won numerous accolades at the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards, and for good reason. The two titles that Indie Studios developed pushed the benchmark for immersion in their respective genres.
Even other titles that won in various categories of BAFTA have proved that while several categories can make way for different genres of video games to win accolades and earn appreciation, live-service titles seem unanimously disliked.
As Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 Are Celebrated, No Live Service Games See Any Glory Whatsoever
The BAFTA Games Awards are some of the oldest awards to be given out in the gaming industry. The list of winners and nominations in eighteen categories was released and can be found here. This includes genres and aspects of video game design, such as narrative and audio design.
In the eighteen categories, titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 won five awards and two titles; Alan Wake 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder won two wins. Unsurprisingly, no live-service title was awarded in any category.
The category that should be the most suited for a live-service title, the Evolving Game Category, had live-service titles like Final Fantasy XIV, Fortnite, etc., as nominations. However, Cyberpunk 2077 ended up securing the accolade in the category after the launch of Phantom Liberty, which is listed as one of the best expansions to come out in recent years.
But all of this might make one ask, why is there such a widespread dislike for live-service titles in general? Well, the genre’s offerings and the complaints against live-service titles that bombed in the industry come to mind.
The Implication of No Live-Service Titles Winning at the BAFTA Games Awards 2024
While there are titles belonging to the live-service genre that enjoy exceptional player retention and are among the most-played titles in the current scenario, the widespread, unanimous sentiment against the genre is unmistakable. Whether it is people’s reaction to the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League‘s trailers and announcements or Marvel’s Avengers bombing and receiving flak to this day.
Furthermore, while the genre, in theory, sounds fantastic, it often comes with caveats such as microtransactions, battle pass requirements, and in-game items, which are seen as pay-to-win strategies. All this leaves a bitter taste in the community’s mouth and reeks of corporate greed.
There is enough competition in the industry, and there is no denying that there is a lot of money to be made, too, but the point lies in the offering provided to the players. If the quality of the content offered is subpar, no quantity can save the game from being thrown to the darkest pits of Reddit and Twitter, where people bash titles left, right, and center.
Also, good live-service games somehow are always exceptions and have never been the norm in the industry. For every Helldivers 2, there are several titles similar to The Day Before and Overwatch 2. What do you think of live service titles? Let us know in the comment section below
