Highguard's Big Problems and the Future of Live Service Games

In this edition of Timesphere, Cale and Scott discuss everything Highguard, the current state of live service games, and understanding game criticism in an era of constant updates. They also talk about Ubisoft’s continued downward spiral and some interesting insider tidbits!

If you liked this episode, make sure to like the episode and subscribe to the podcast across our various channels (it really helps a lot!)

All Links: https://linktr.ee/XJustified

Podcast Services: https://rss.com/podcasts/timesphere

YouTube: / @timesphereshow

Sources for this episode (go support games media!):

Pre-show, Highguard layoffs: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/designer-claims-most-of-highguards-dev-team-have-been-laid-off-weeks-after-launch/

Highguard’s rocky reception: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ultimately-we-could-have-made-a-different-trailer-highguard-ceo-responds-to-that-poorly-received-game-awards-reveal/

GoG AI Usage: https://kotaku.com/gog-caught-using-ai-generated-artwork-2000663836

Ubisoft layoffs and cancelations: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-details-major-company-reset-6-games-canned-7-delayed-and-2-studios-closed/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-proposes-to-cut-18-of-workforce-at-france-headquarters-as-part-of-major-reset-plan/

2XKO Twitch Drama: https://x.com/zachbussey/status/2014151811192516897

Change of plans at Amazon Games: https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3mdisznjdh22x

Battlefield dominating CoD sales: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/battlefield-outsold-call-of-duty-for-the-first-time-ever-last-year-as-black-ops-7-dropped-to-5th-place/

If you have feedback for the show or a story you want to hear about, contact us at TimesphereShow @ gmail.com.