Amazon has confirmed that its MMO New World will not be shutting down imminently, despite ongoing development ceasing and uncertainty regarding its future past 2026. The game, which has experienced a decline in popularity since its launch, will continue to operate with all current servers remaining live for at least another three years. However, players are advised that after the release of Season 10 and the recent Nighthaven update, no new content will be added to the game. This announcement is part of a larger restructuring within Amazon's gaming division, which is undergoing significant job cuts. Players can expect at least six months' notice before any potential changes to server availability occur.
Will New World continue to receive updates after 2025?No, New World will not receive any further updates beyond the current content, including the Nighthaven update and Season 10. Players will have access to the servers through at least 2026, but no new content updates are planned.
New World launched in September 2021 and quickly garnered attention for its unique blend of faction-based PvP and immersive gameplay set in a supernatural version of the 17th century. The game allowed players to explore the island of Aeternum, greatly emphasizing territorial battles and crafting systems. However, the initial excitement waned over time, leading to a drop in active players, which has prompted these recent decisions from Amazon regarding the game's future.
Comments
Honestly, this feels like watching a game slowly fade from live service to maintenance mode - classic corporate soft-launch of a shutdown. At least they're giving players time to enjoy the existing world before the lights potentially go out.
It's always bittersweet when a live service game reaches its content sunset, but at least players get a proper farewell tour. Honestly though, seeing Amazon's gaming division restructure makes me wonder about the long-term viability of these corporate-backed MMOs.