# online

A widespread cloud disruption exposed how concentrated infrastructure can stall “always-online” entertainment across major networks. Players are pivoting to offline-friendly and indie experiences, underscoring demand for reliability, ownership, and authored design over live-service dependencies.

Player sentiment is coalescing around deeper, more interactive worlds and fairer design, while frustration grows over connectivity requirements that undermine single-player experiences. The backlash to always-online rules and the strong engagement on calls for depth signal product risks for franchises that prioritize pipelines over player trust.