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Defunct Online Video Games

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Guess you've been... relieved of command. (Black Command, Jan. 2018—Sept. 2019)

The rise of Web Games and MMOs has led to a particular form of Abandonware. Such games work by having players' computers constantly communicating with central servers. These servers have to be run by the game studio, which is intensive in both money and labor. They thus depend upon a consistent flow of players and profit to justify keeping them running. As a result, there will inevitably come a time when an online game is no longer supported by its creators. Perhaps the game simply wasn't profitable enough to be worth maintaining, or the creators themselves folded, or (perhaps the best-case scenario) there's a sequel that has made the original obsolete. Whatever the case, the servers go down, the game is no longer sold commercially, and it simply cannot be played anymore.

Sometimes, fans will create new servers to keep playing, or outright remake the game from the ground-up. But most games never see such a revival due to cease-and-desist orders, not enough fanbase to spark interest, a lack of source code or ways to reverse-engineer the server, or other reasons.

For online games that were never released to begin with, see Canceled Video Games. Related to Temporary Online Content, where game content is made available online for a limited amount of time, and can no longer be obtained after that. Also related to Permanently Missable Content; in this case the entire game is permanently missable if you learn of it too late.

It's also worth noting that this trope is a major reason why DRM is controversial in the gamer community: DRM often requires connection to a server to verify the software as an anti-piracy measure. Thus, if the developers stop maintaining their DRM servers, you can be prevented from playing a game you bought perfectly legally. While the more benign variants of this will require it only once upon the initial install, even that can later make an otherwise offline game unplayable if a re-install of any sort is needed. For simplicity, though, this page will stick to games whose major or only component was the online mode.

Services

  • Dynamic Network Authentication System (2003-2016): Copy Protection for PlayStation 2 online multiplayer gamesnote 
  • GameSparks (201?-2022): Games that used this backend service were either shut down or lost online functions.note 
  • GameSpy (1996-2014): Games that used this backend service were either shut down or lost online functions if they didn't receive replacements from either the original developers or their fan community. GameSpy also served as the backend of the...
    • Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (2005-2014): Every online multiplayer video game for the Nintendo DS and Wiinote 
  • Nintendo Network: Online functionality for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2011/2012-2024)note 1note 2
  • PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store access for the PlayStation Portable (2004-2021) note 
  • SegaNet (2000-2001): Every online multiplayer video game for the Sega Dreamcast in North America
  • Xbox 360 Microsoft Store access (2005-2024) note 
  • Xbox Live 1.0 (2004-2010): Every online multiplayer video game for the original Xboxnote 

Individual Games

    open/close all folders 
    Games that are completely shut down 

    Games whose international English-language servers were shut down but that are still active in their home market 

    Games whose original releases were shut down but that are still active in ports, updated rereleases, relaunches and offline versions 
  • Ascend: Hand of Kul (2013-2016): Relaunched as Ascend: Reborn in December 2022.
  • Beast Summoning: Cryptract (2015 - 30 June 2023 [JP]), (2018 - 2020 [EN]): While the EN version is completely gone, the JP version is slated to get an offline version. Additionally, both Cryptract and Mithrasphere will be getting a collaboration event with fellow Bank of Innovation game MementoMori: AFKRPG in Winter 2023.
  • BEMANI net-requiring games with offline-enabling final patches:
    • DanceEvolution ARCADE (2012-2016)
    • MÚSECA (2015-2018): Alternatively, arcade operators had the option of receiving kits to convert the game to Bishi Bashi Channel.
  • Bless Unleashed (2020-2022): The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game were discontinued in favor of the PC version.
  • Border Break: The PS4 port has been shut down (2018-2023), but the original arcade game remains operational. Offline modes such as Story Missions are still playable on PS4; Exhibition remains playable but requires a PS+ subscription.
  • Burnout Paradise (2008-2019): The online servers for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows versions of the original game only. The Remastered servers for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch are still online.
  • Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls (2019-2020): The original mobile version (exclusive to Canada) was discontinued. The game was later ported to Apple Arcade as a subscription service game with the monetization elements removed.
  • Club Penguin Island (2017-2018): The game can still be played through offline mode if the player has installed the game prior to closure.
  • Cosmic Break (2008-2020): Relaunched as Cosmic Break: Universal in 2021.
  • crossbeats REV. (2015-2018): A final update patch allows the game to be played offline with all content available without needing a user account.
  • Dankira!!! -Boys, be DANCING!- (2019-2020): A day after the online version shut down, the offline version was launched that had additional content such as the conclusion to the main story and new Killer Tricks.
  • Dungeon Fighter Online (2010-2013): Nexon-published version only; game relaunched in 2015 as Dungeon Fighter Online Global, self-published by developer Neople.
  • Dragon Quest X: Square Enix dropped support for the Wii (2012-2017), Wii U (2013-2024) and Nintendo 3DS (2014-2024) clients due to inferior technical specifications. Other clients on more powerful hardware remain active.
  • Dynasty Warriors Online (2007-2022): Only the PlayStation 4 version is still active.
  • Everybody Edits Flash (2010-2020): It still can be played offline in its Everybody Edits Offline version. The game's current planned successor, titled similarly as Everybody Edits!, is also in development.
  • Final Fantasy XIV:
    • FFXIV 1.0 (2010-2012): After 1.0 ended, the game was relaunched as Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn in 2013.
    • FFXIV on PlayStation 3 (2013-2017): Support dropped as of the release of the second expansion, in favor of shifting console focus to the PlayStation 4.
  • Gigantic (2017-2018): Relaunched in 2024 as Gigantic: Rampage Edition.
  • Grand Chase (2003-2015): Relaunched in 2021 as Grand Chase Classic.
  • Grand Theft Auto Online (2013-2021): Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions only.
  • Groove Coaster (2013-2024): Arcade versions only.
  • The following games in the Halo series had their original releases shut down, but their online remains active through ports on the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC in the Compilation Re-release The Master Chief Collection:
  • Heroes Evolved (2017): This only applies for the PC version. The mobile version (released in 2016) is still active.
  • Knockout City (2021-2023): A PC version for private servers was announced.
  • Mega Man X DiVE (2021-2023): A standalone version, Mega Man X DiVE Offline, was released in 2023, although players cannot transfer their progress to the offline version.
  • Metal Gear Online (The Phantom Pain version) on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (2015-2022)
  • Mitrasphere (8 August 2017 - June 30 2023 [JP]), (2021 - 2023 [EN]): Like its sister game Cryptract, Mitrasphere JP will be getting an offline version and a collab event with MementoMori.
  • Moneyville/Pengeby (2008-unknown): The original Flash version and its iOS and Android ports are no longer available but Danske Bank has made a rebooted version of the game available on iOS and Android.
  • Overwatch (2016-2022): Relaunched as the free-to-play Overwatch 2 the day after its shutdown, with all multiplayer components and player progression transferred over.
  • Pocket Card Jockey (2014-2015): The Japanese iOS and Android version was discontinued. The offline 3DS version remains playable and was available to purchase until the eShop's closure in April 2023. An Updated Re-release, Ride On!, was later released for Apple Arcade subscribers in 2023.
  • Phantasy Star Online 2: The Play Station Vita version (2013-2020) was discontinued due to inferior technical specifications. The original PC version and other console clients remain active.
  • Phantom Dust (2005-2010): Ported to the Xbox One in 2017 as a free-to-play game, with the online functionality restored.
  • RuneScape Classic (2001-2018): Its two updated versions, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape 3, are still running as of 2022.
    • DarkScape (2015-2016)
  • ROSE Online (2005–2019): Will be relaunched by a new official team at an undetermined date.
  • Sid Story (2015-2020): Relaunched in 2021 as Sid Classic.
  • SINoALICE (2017-2024): The Taiwanese server ended on November 10, 2022 while the Global server followed suit on November 15, 2023. The Japanese server was the last to go on January 15, 2024 but will continue as the post-ending app "The Story That Was Once SINoALICE" for players who cleared the final chapter of its Grand Finale before then which will preserve majority of their account data for viewing purposes.
  • Sword Girls (2011-2017): Relaunched in 2021 as Kana Tales.
  • Team Fortress 2 on PlayStation 3 (2007-2023): As part of The Orange Box. EA, which handled the port, listed Half-Life 2 for PS3 on shutdown lists, but that game was only ported there through the compilation. The original Steam version and Xbox 360 port of TF2 remain active.
  • Teen Second Life (2005-2010): Merged with the main Second Life grid in January 2011.
  • The Tomorrow Children (2016-2017): Relaunched as The Tomorrow Children: Phoenix Edition in 2022.
  • Uru Live: Original beta version 2003-2004, cancelled due to poor subscriptions, online-only content subsequently released as singleplayer expansion packs To D'ni and Path of the Shell, and fan servers maintained under the name Until Uru. Until Uru shut down in 2006, official GameTap release 2006-2007, cancelled again for the same reason as before. From 2010 onwards available free-to-play, donation driven, and with fan-submitted content as Myst Online: Uru Live Again (with the 'again' later dropped).
  • WACCA (2019-2022): Final update allows the game to be played offline.

    Games whose official releases were shut down but that are survived by fan projects 
  • Age of Empires Online (2011-2014): The game was revived by fans in 2017 in the form of Project Celeste, which was made using the game's publicly-released dev kit and re-released under a non-commercial license from Microsoft themselves. Not only does it contain all the content that was released for the game, it even includes bug fixes, game balances, and new content, including the Roman civilization that was originally being developed before the shutdown.
  • America's Army (2002-2022): The patch notes for the shutdown of the game's official online services flat-out told players to move to private servers.
  • And-Kensaku (2010-2012): Japanese fans of the game have created new servers that still use Google to source content such as the words and phrases used by the game.
  • BattleForge (2009-2013): Survived by the Skylords Reborn project.
  • Blocksworld (2013-2020): The original servers were shut down by Linden Labs in June 2020, whereas a fanmade server called the "Secondary Server" thrives on.
  • City of Heroes (2004-2012): The community launched several free servers around the start of The New '20s following the 2019 Content Leak of a private server that had been running in secrecy for years. One of these servers, Homecoming, was later given an official license to operate by NCsoft.
  • Club Penguin (2005-2017): The game survives in the form of numerous fanmade private servers. However, a number of them, including larger servers like Club Penguin Online and Club Penguin Rewritten, have since been shut down due to DMCA takedowns by Disney that stemmed from one of the people who ran Club Penguin Online being arrested on child pornography charges along with said server being largely unmoderated and filled with abusive and other inappropriate messages and other content.
  • Crash: On the Run! (2021-2023): Custom servers were created by fans after the announcement that the game's official servers would close.
  • Earth & Beyond (2002-2004): Survived by the Earth & Beyond Emulator.
  • Elemental 3 (2016-2018): Taken offline in 2018 due to bugs, and the end of Adobe Flash in 2020 eliminated any hopes of the game being revived in its original form. Some fan recreations, both online and offline, remain active.
  • Feral (2020-2022): Survived by the Ferever project.
  • Free Realms (2009-2014): Survived by the FR Sunrise fan server.
  • Heroes of Newerth (2010-2022): Survived by the Project Kongor fan server.
  • LawBreakers (2017-2018): Survived by The RELB Project fan server, which was endorsed by the game's original developer Cliff Bleszinski.
  • LEGO Legends of Chima Online (2013-2015): Survived by the Loco Online project.
  • maimai (classic cabinets) (2012-February 2020): FiNALE version survived by the MaiTea NET server.
  • Manyland (2013-2024): Shut down in February 29, 2024 due to a severe lack of budget. The link to the site now redirects to an archive. Survived by the Offlineland fan project.
  • Maple Story 2 (2018-2020): Global English version shut down in 2020; original Korean version still active. Survived by the "MapleStars 2" project.
  • Mario Kart Wii (2008-2014): Employing the fanmade Wiimmfi server as a replacement infrastructure for the aforementionned Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Technically, Wiimmfi can be used to play any Wii game online, but as demonstrated by its live game stats page, only Mario Kart Wii's community has truly leveraged it to maintain a healthy player base that would continue to last for over a decade.note 
  • Metal Gear Online: Both maintained by the SaveMGO fan project.
  • Need for Speed: World (2010-2015): Survived by the Soapbox Race World project from 2017 onward.
  • Neocron (2002-2004)
    • Neocron 2 (2004-2010): Publisher Reakktor Media handed the game's server and code over to its community in 2012 so that they may continue to run it as Neocron Evolution.
  • Orcs Must Die! Unchained (2017-2019): Multiplayer servers are offline. However, a game mod, OMDUSinglePlayer, can be used for a solo attempt using any character or trap loadout.
  • Phantasy Star series:
  • Pirates of the Caribbean Online (2007–2013): Has the fan server The Legend of Pirates Online.
  • Puchiguru! Love Live! (2018–2019): The Pokenesos fan server was launched shortly after the game's demise.
  • Resident Evil: Outbreak (2003–2007, North America; 2003-2011, Japan): Survived by the Obsrv.org fan server.
  • The Sims Online (2001-2009): Has the Fan Remake FreeSO, launched in 2017 and still ongoing as of 2024.
  • Super Mario Bros. 35 (2020-2021): Its shutdown on March 31, 2021, was planned and announced immediately from its Day 1 launch on October 1, 2020, to fit with the time frame of the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.. The "Continued Interest" fan server has been developed in response, with the sole caveat that it requires a hacked Nintendo Switch (the game itself can be played on an emulator, but still a hacked Switch is required to dump the necessary files), which Nintendo are fiercely ban-happy against...
  • S4 League (2007-2021): Survived by the Xero fan server.
  • Scarlet Blade (2012-2016): A fan server is maintained by the Vendetta Gaming Network community.
  • Sonic Runners (2015-2016): Survived by the Sonic Runners Revival project.
  • Star Wars: Galaxies (2003–2011): The game survives in the form of several fanmade private servers.
  • TERA (2011–2022): Numerous fan servers exist; as of 2022, the most popular one is Menma's TERA.
  • Toontown Online (2003–2013): Numerous fan servers exist; as of 2022, the most popular ones are Toontown Rewritten (which attempts to preserve the vision of the original game) and Toontown: Corporate Clash (which greatly expands upon the original game). Unlike with Club Penguin, these have avoided the wrath of Disney's lawyers, at least for now, commonly by removing the usage of Mickey Mouse and his friends.
  • Virtual Magic Kingdom (2005–2008): Fan recreations including MyVMK and VMK Legacy have been made since.
  • Warhammer Online (2008–2013): Survived by the "Return of Reckoning" fan project launched in 2015, crewed by former WAR devs who continue to patch the game and release new content updates.

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