In the highly anticipated live service game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, developer Rocksteady Studios faces disheartening player engagement numbers as Episode 2 fails to attract and retain a significant player base. The recent release of The Joker as a new squad member in Episode 1 did little to boost enthusiasm, and now, with Episode 2, the game's future appears uncertain.

According to Steam player statistics, the launch of the Joker season saw a peak of 3,049 concurrent players, accounting for only 22% of the game's initial peak of 13,549 players. However, Episode 2 has seen a significant decline, with a peak of just 561 players as of yesterday. This represents a mere 18% of the Joker debut and a mere 4% of the game's initial launch numbers. Such low player retention is a cause for concern for Suicide Squad, as the game heavily relies on a consistent player base to thrive as a live service.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League had planned three more seasons of content, with characters like a gender-flipped Mrs. Freeze and Deadshot's daughter slated for introduction. However, the downward trend in player engagement raises doubts about the ability of the game to maintain momentum. Even the potential inclusion of Deathstroke, a highly anticipated character, is not expected to happen anytime soon, potentially further diminishing the game's prospects.

Fortunately, Rocksteady Studios has not announced any layoffs in light of these struggles. Although the studio is known for its successful single-player superhero adventures, the direction taken by parent company Warner Bros. suggests a focus on live service games, despite the lackluster performance of Suicide Squad in contrast to the success of the single-player title, Hogwarts Legacy.

Looking ahead, it seems unlikely that Season 2's character, Mrs. Freeze, will attract even half the number of players that the Joker debut achieved. Leak and player critiques of the character's design have already circulated, dampening anticipation. Additionally, the game's monetization strategy, relying solely on cosmetics, has received criticism for its poor execution, despite the wealth of comic source material available.

The future of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League remains uncertain, with the game struggling to maintain a dedicated player base. As Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. forge ahead, their commitment to live services raises questions about the longevity and success of the game. Whether Suicide Squad can recover and thrive in the highly competitive gaming market remains to be seen.