In January, over 70% of PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players in the US were engaged with at least one of the top 10 live-service games, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, referencing data from Circana's Player Engagement Tracker. Furthermore, these live-service games accounted for more than 40% of the total playtime across these consoles during the same month.
Piscatella highlighted a shift in player behavior, explaining, “In the past, players would jump from one big game to another, usually moving on to something new they’d purchased. Now, however, live-service games are consuming a significant portion of players' time, and when a game is free and delivers quality, it's hard to beat.”
Looking ahead, Piscatella expressed hope for 2025, stressing the need for positive surprises and well-executed new releases. The analyst pointed to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 as key products that could potentially disrupt the current dominance of live-service games.
The widespread influence of live-service games is undeniable, with titles like Fortnite, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Roblox leading the charge. While many other studios have tried to replicate the success of these giants, they’ve largely struggled to capture the same level of player engagement.
Despite their massive popularity, live-service games remain a concern for developers. A survey from the Game Developer Collective last year revealed that 70% of developers were worried about the sustainability of the live-service model. The primary concern was player disengagement, with competition from other live-service games being another significant challenge.

If you are looking for a convenient way to Sell Xbox Gift Cards or Buy Xbox Gift Cards For Sale, Z2U is your ideal website. As a global leading digital goods trading platform, Z2U.COM provides users with a safe, fast and efficient trading environment. Whether you want to cash in on idle Xbox gift cards or find a discounted Xbox Microsoft Gift Card Top Up, Z2U can meet your needs. The platform supports multiple payment methods, and all transactions are strictly verified and protected to ensure the rights and interests of both buyers and sellers. Explore Z2U and easily achieve your Xbox gift card trading goals!