God. I still remember downloading Dauntless back in 2019, thinking "this looks like Monster Hunter but free—what's the catch?" No catch, just a genuinely fun game that hooked millions of us. And now? Gone. Poof. Just like that.
Phoenix Labs dropped the bomb recently—Dauntless is shutting down permanently on May 29th. That's literally DAYS from now. After six years of monster hunting, weapon upgrading, and countless hours grinding for materials, players are being shown the door.
From Hero to Zero: What the Hell Happened?
The game was a legitimate hit when it launched. Available across pretty much every platform you can think of—PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Switch, PC—it quickly racked up 15 million players. I spent about $80 on cosmetics back then because I genuinely thought this game had staying power.
Wrong.
The official statement from Phoenix Labs reads like corporate funeral arrangements: "Dauntless is shutting down on May 29, 2025. Dauntless will receive no additional content or updates. The game will no longer be available to play on May 29, 2025."
They blamed it on "negative public reception of TK and subsequent decline of active players" in a separate post. Translation: we messed up our own game and people stopped playing.
Players Saw This Coming
I texted my gaming buddy last night about this, and his response was just: "surprised it lasted this long tbh." Harsh but... accurate?
The Reddit threads are absolutely brutal. One player wrote, "The game is nothing like I remember it when it first launched." Another didn't mince words: "They literally killed their own game. At this point I feel like it was on purpose."
My favorite comment (which honestly made me laugh despite teh circumstances) was from someone who said: "I hate to see the game die, I loved it for years, but the company that bought the game forcefully turned it into a mtx hellscape and they deserve to have it crash and fail. I hope the excellent devs that did the work can find new work quickly."
The Digital Graveyard is Getting Crowded
Dauntless isn't alone in getting the axe this year. Online games constantly get shut down when player counts drop—maintaining servers for 12 active players isn't exactly a sound business strategy.
Back in 2018, I lost three games I'd invested time in. It feels like losing a digital pet every time.
Who's Next on the Chopping Block?
If you're playing any of these titles, enjoy them while they last:
MultiVersus bites the dust on May 30, followed by xDefiant on June 3. The First Descendant gets unplugged June 19, while Black Desert goes dark June 26. Resident Evil ReVerse flatlines June 29, and Madden NFL 21 gets benched June 30.
July brings the end for Arizona Sunshine and Skyworld (both July 1). Later in the year, Danmachi Battle Chronicle (September 29), WWE 2K24 (September 30), Madden NFL 22 (October 20), PGA Tour 2K21 (October 30), and NBA 2K24 (December 31) all join the digital afterlife.
Listen. I'm not usually sentimental about games closing down—it's just business, right? But something about Dauntless's rise and fall feels... unnecessary. Like watching someone with real potential just throw it all away.
Pour one out for the Behemoths. We had a good run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is esports and why is it growing?
Esports refers to organized, competitive video gaming, often featuring professional players and teams. The growth of esports can be attributed to increased viewership, sponsorship deals, and the rise of online streaming platforms, making it accessible to a global audience.
What are microtransactions in gaming?
Microtransactions are small financial transactions made within a game, usually for the purpose of purchasing virtual goods or enhancements. They are commonly found in free-to-play games and can range from cosmetic items to in-game currency or additional content.
What is game streaming and how does it work?
Game streaming allows players to play games over the internet without needing powerful hardware. Services like Google Stadia and Xbox Cloud Gaming stream gameplay from remote servers to players' devices, enabling access to high-quality gaming experiences on less capable systems.
How do game developers monetize their products?
Game developers monetize their products through various methods, including direct sales, subscriptions, in-game purchases, and advertising. The choice of monetization strategy often depends on the game type and target audience.
Statistics
- About 60% of gamers prefer single-player games, valuing immersive storytelling and personal experiences.
- Streaming platforms like Twitch have attracted over 140 million unique monthly visitors, demonstrating the popularity of game streaming.
- The global gaming market is projected to reach a value of over $200 billion by 2023.
- In 2021, the average age of a gamer was reported to be around 34 years old, indicating that gaming spans multiple generations.
- Esports viewership surpassed 500 million people globally in 2022, highlighting the increasing interest in competitive gaming.
- Mobile gaming accounts for nearly 50% of the total gaming revenue, reflecting its growing popularity.
- Research indicates that video games can improve cognitive skills, with studies showing a 20% increase in problem-solving abilities among regular players.
- More than 30% of gamers spend over 20 hours a week playing video games, indicating strong engagement among avid players.
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How To
How to Fix Common Gaming Issues
Fixing common gaming issues often requires a systematic approach. Start by troubleshooting hardware problems; ensure all cables are connected and components are functioning correctly. For software issues, check for updates for both your game and system. Restarting your console or PC can resolve many temporary glitches. If you encounter performance issues, consider adjusting in-game settings such as resolution and graphics quality. Online forums and community discussions can also provide solutions to specific problems, as many gamers share their experiences and fixes.
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