Is New World shutting down? Sourcing Amazon Games’ Statement
An important news announcement was made today, October 28th, addressing widespread concerns that New World is shutting down. With the game celebrating its fourth anniversary since its release on PC next year, the studio reflected on the shared experience with its devoted community, whose feedback and passion helped drive the title.
Having pushed four years of continuous content updates, including a massive expansion, Amazon Games is now at a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue pouring in fresh content updates to subsidize the game anymore. What that implies is that, while the base game will remain playable for the short-term future, the cycle of active development is coming to a close. So, the question is: is New World closing down entirely?
The next New World Season 10 and 11 updates will be the final content drops for the game on PC and consoles. This follows some serious contemplation by the developer team.
Understanding the Service Continuation Timeline
Despite the fact that new content is no longer being developed, the studio has guaranteed a long-term commitment to keeping the game updated for its players.
Server Status and Playability
Most importantly to the player base is how long the existing servers will last.
Content Conclusion: Season 10 and 11 will be the final updates, and they can be had at no cost as a way of thanking the community for their patronage. The Rise of the Angry Earth expansion has also been made free for the PC players.
Server Lifespan: Amazon Games claims service will run until 2026, allowing the community room to continue playing their adventure in Aetérnum.
Official Stance: The studio clearly stated they are not sun setting the game right now. What that implies is although there won't be any new material, servers will remain up for the specified period.
The gamers who already own the game may download and reinstall it. Besides, the game will remain downloadable for both PlayStation Plus users (Extra and Premium plans) until further notice.
Fundamental Player Information
For existing players or those wishing to come back, fundamental operating facts have been confirmed:
In-Game Currency: You will be able to purchase and use in-game currencies (e.g., Marks of Fortune). Any announcement regarding altering this feature will be made to the community.
Game Purchase: You will be able to purchase and play the game on all platforms for the moment.
Recurring Events: Seasonal events, world bosses, and bonus weeks will continue to work, but there will be no holiday events introduced.
The AI Change and Corporate Background
The decision to discontinue content updates for the MMORPG must be set against the overall corporate restructuring at Amazon, which has involved large layoff initiatives across its gaming and publishing divisions.
Layoff Effect: Amazon is sustaining significant layoffs, where part of these layoffs have extended to the company's gaming division, particularly the Amazon Games' San Diego offices and the publishing divisions.
Transition to Generative AI: More broadly, Amazon reports that it is focusing on having a leaner company and accomplishing more through the use of generative AI. Vice President Steve Boom indicated the firm is reducing some of its internal game development, especially for ambitious, large-scale games like MMORPGs, to double down in AI initiatives.
The studio has an uneven history with major in-house development, including cancelling Crucible and the early success of this MMORPG, which at launch had one of the biggest concurrent player bases on Steam. Although that began well, corporate planning appears to be diverging from massive in-house MMO projects, so it's one of the reasons to discontinue active development.
Community Reaction for New World shutting down
The announcement that New World is shutting down development comes as a shock to most, especially those who had believed the game was flying high with new patches and the console release.
The MMORPG, at its peak, had a unique player experience:
PvP/PvE Mix: The combination of PvP and PvE content was critically praised.
Wars: The Faction Wars on an epic scale offered something truly unique in the genre.
Endgame Content: The main reason cited by most players for premature departure was the repetition inherent in endgame content before large expansions fell.
While the current simultaneous player base (approximately 31,000 on Steam during this analysis) is decent, ending content is a business choice and, according to likely reasoning, not solely due to insufficient player base.
The largest takeaway is the promise that servers will remain up through 2026.
Do you plan on delving back into Aetérnum to appreciate the final content seasons before active support shuts down?
