u/akshatmalik8

So apparently Bungie advised Naughty Dog not to build a live service multiplayer game around Last of Us. And then Naughty Dog themselves also decided to cancel Factions 2 because they didn't want to become a live service studio.

I genuinely respect both calls. Live service is brutal and not every studio should chase it.

But I couldn't help but notice the timing. Bungie, who gave that advice, is now going through mass layoffs after their own live service game struggled. No shade at all, it's a rough industry and this stuff is hard.

I just find it a little bittersweet as someone who really wanted Factions. I loved the original and I was genuinely excited for whatever the Last of Us multiplayer was going to be, whatever shape it took. Knowing it got canceled and now seeing things play out the way they have... it just stings a bit.

I love Housemarque and really respect what they’ve done. Saros is a great game. The tight gameplay and that “come back stronger” progression system made every run feel valuable. You’re actually getting stronger, not just spinning your wheels.

But I wonder if they’ve hit the ceiling of what bullet-hell can do. It’s not a skill issue. The genre just has limits in terms of audience reach at that price point.
What’s interesting is watching other PlayStation studios do this. Santa Monica went to God of War and unlocked things they couldn’t before. Sucker Punch went to Ghost of Tsushima. Guerrilla went to Horizon. Each reinvention opened doors that staying comfortable never could.

Housemarque’s core strength isn’t bullets. It’s the mechanical tightness, the feedback loops, the way everything feels intentional. That works in any genre. A melee-focused game with their polish would hit different. A cyberpunk world with their attention to detail would still feel like Housemarque.
If they stepped into a different genre but kept what makes them special, they could reach an audience they’re not reaching now. Not because Saros failed, but because the bullet-hell ceiling is real.

Their DNA is tight gameplay and atmosphere. That works anywhere.

I am a bit dissatisfied by shreyass performance. Not kick him out and all.
Both our openers go aggressive, them failing is possible. If they both fail for 5 games together, that is concerning. For now its okay. Are their vulnerabilities exposed a bit, yes. But we gotta wait and watch.

But when Shreyas comes in PP he is unsure what to do. Either he changes his mindset or sends someone else. To me that seems concerning. I am not questioning his form, but seems like he gets out playing non committal and soft shots in PP.