It’s the category that every publisher and AAA-game developer wants to have success any, but it’s not as easy as everyone may think to have a successful on-going or live-service game. It needs to be something that has players coming back constantly and not getting bored of, while also not changing too much too fast that it causes players to lose what they love. Often a hard balance, and something that requires a lot of work to maintain success in.

Here are our picks for the best ongoing video games of 2023.

5. Overwatch 2 [Blizzard Entertainment]

Overwatch 2 has certainly suffered from the ongoing problems at Activision/Blizzard, but the team has continued to keep pushing the game to new heights. With consistent season roadmaps, Overwatch 2 has been able to begin providing glimpses of the experience it had promised upon its launch. In 2023, Overwatch 2 also joined the cross-over escapades of fellow titles in the live service game genre through its partnerships with the anime One Punch Man and K-pop sensation LE SSERAFIM.

– Ciaran

4. Marvel Snap [Second Dinner Studios, Nuverse]

Marvel Snap continued to be one of the best quick-fix competitive card games you could play in 2023, and that success doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. With new cards still being added into the game seemingly every week, consistent events and updates on what’s coming to the game also keep players in the loop and excited for what’s to come. Conquest was officially added to Marvel Snap in 2023 as well, the first new mode for the game that added some more tournament-specific competitiveness to the random nature that can occur in the base mode. Oh, and the art! There continue to be so many great variants for all the Marvel characters you and I love.

– Dylan

3. Apex Legends (Respawn Entertainment, Electronic Arts)

In 2023, Respawn Entertainment put a lot of effort into adding new gameplay systems and reworking some older ones. Only two new champions were released, and one got fully reworked, but there were plenty of new things. Legends got class systems; the firing range got a complete overhaul; mixtape mode was added, and much more. Plus, Team Deathmatch was added. 

– Dylan

2. Final Fantasy XIV (Square Enix Creative Business Unit III, Square Enix)

In years without expansions, it can be hard for MMOs to maintain their player bases and keep fans engaged until the next expansion. Final Fantasy XIV had its problems with this throughout 2023 but has also begun to build well to the upcoming 2024 Dawntreader expansion. Having added more expansions to the best free-to-play opportunity in gaming has certainly helped with bringing new players on board before the new expansion sets sail later this year.

– Ciaran

1. Fortnite (Epic Games)

Fortnite does everything. There are always new events, new weapons, and new random things to be doing in the game. They added a crossover with LEGO this year that is way better than it has any right to be. It is THE on-going game, and even if you don’t love Fortnite, it’s impossible to ignore just how large its world is and the scope of what’s in it now.

– Dylan