"Live service" feels like a red flag when a game is described as one, but there are a lot of games that are really great at creating long-lasting communities. Some games on our list of nominees this year have been at it for quite some time, too.
Here are the nominees for TechRaptor's 2024 Best Evolving Game Award for outstanding continued development on an existing game..
- Destiny 2
- Diablo IV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
- Zenless Zone Zero
Check out here for our other award categories.
Third Place - Destiny 2
Developer: Bungie | Release Date: September 6th, 2017
Written by Tyler Chancey
Destiny 2 has reached a new era. After ten years of being the series that popularized the live service shooter, its current state is less a complete fall and more of a denouement. The main story regarding The Witness has been resolved, but there are still lingering story threads being set up by Bungie's team. Threads that are potentially less cosmic in scope.
Players have been given the most tools to explore the combat sandbox to date. Weapons with the most exotic support mods. Prismatic subclasses allowing for greater player expression. It is a gameplay loop the fanbase has become intimately familiar with, for better or for worse.
The state of the game is a far cry from where it started. But this year, Bungie can officially say that their decade-long story came to its conclusion
Second Place - Fortnite
Developer: Epic Games | Release Date: September 26th, 2017
Written by Blair Bishop
Three things in life are certain: Death, taxes, and Fortnite. As Epic continues to embellish and reinforce the creative aspects of what’s possible inside their game, what’s spawned is now a nearly-endless cavalcade of combat game modes, quirky reenactions of multiplayer hits like Phasmophobia and Battlefield, and it’s breathtaking to watch.
That isn’t to detract from its primetime Battle Royale mode, however, which continues to shake up and modify the formula in many different ways. With the re-introduction of Fortnite’s OG island towards the end of the year, it’s clear that Epic are looking to recognize the history of the game that brought them to the peak, and has continued to since 2017.
Winner - Helldivers 2
Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios | Release Date: February 8th, 2024
Written by Dan Rockwood
When Helldivers 2 dropped last February, it offered an impressive array of gameplay options with two battle passes (Warbonds), countless ship and stratagem options, and a wide assortment of maps on two fronts with a variety of mission objectives. Now, nearly a year later, the game has expanded multiple times, cementing its legacy from just another live service game to one of the most iconic titles of 2024.
Though there were issues along the way, like nerfing fire weaponry immediately ahead of releasing the Freedom's Flame Warbond, or requiring Steam players to create and link a PlayStation Network account, these have been largely rectified through patches, indicating to players that Arrowhead Game Studios is listening to their needs.
Today, Helldivers 2 offers many more options for new and returning players. There's now a whole new enemy added to the frontlines: the Illuminate alien race, new planets to fight on, vehicles to commandeer, and multiple new warbonds that offer unlockable weapons, armor, and more. With so many changes that helped improve the game throughout 2024, it's exciting to see what the next year will bring.