The start of 2026 sees the death of Anthem, the launch of a new hero shooter, and genre legend Bungie embracing experimental $40 multiplayer games. As we enter a new year full of new multiplayer experiences, does the traditional premium multiplayer game like Grand Theft Auto or Destiny still lead the charge? Have player preferences changed? Let’s look at the state of live service, co-op, and online gaming in 2026.







