Amazon’s Hit MMO Is Shutting Down
▼ Summary
– Amazon Games will permanently shut down the MMO New World: Aeternum on January 31, 2027, and has delisted it from sale as of January 15.
– The shutdown follows a prior announcement that no new content would be developed after the Nighthaven seasonal update, with the Nighthaven event now extended until closure.
– The game’s player count has significantly declined from a peak of over 900,000 concurrent users at launch to around 1,100 concurrent players on Steam recently.
– Amazon will continue selling in-game microtransactions until July 19, 2026, but will not offer refunds for any remaining currency after that date.
– This closure is part of broader struggles for Amazon’s gaming division, which has seen multiple game cancellations and reports of mismanagement.
The online world of New World: Aeternum will permanently go dark at the end of January 2027, according to an official announcement from Amazon Games. This decision follows a period of declining support, marked by last year’s confirmation that no new content would be developed beyond the Nighthaven seasonal update. The writing was arguably on the wall after Amazon implemented further job cuts within its gaming division in late 2025, which directly affected the teams working on its MMO projects.
The final shutdown date for the game on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S is set for January 31, 2027. As of mid-January, the game has been removed from digital storefronts, though existing owners retain full access. Amazon has extended the current Nighthaven event to run continuously until the servers are ultimately taken offline. In a statement, the developer expressed gratitude to its player community, saying, “We want to thank the players for your dedication and passion. We are grateful for the time spent crafting the world of Aeternum with you. Together we built something special.”
Originally launching on PC in September 2021 before a console release in October 2024, New World experienced a meteoric initial success, boasting over 900,000 concurrent players at its peak. While periodic updates provided temporary boosts, the active player count has since dwindled significantly, recently averaging only around 1,100 concurrent users on Steam. Amazon has clarified its plans for in-game purchases, stating that microtransactions will remain available for purchase until July 19, 2026. After that date, the premium Marks of Fortune currency and all other items will be delisted, with no refunds issued for any remaining currency balances.
Although no further content is planned, the development team has committed to maintaining the game’s stability during this wind-down period, monitoring for bugs and performance issues to ensure a smooth experience for remaining players. This closure adds to a challenging history for Amazon’s internal game development efforts. The company’s free-to-play shooter, Crucible, was canceled after a troubled launch, a planned Lord of the Rings MMO was shelved due to a contract dispute, and another title, Breakaway, was also canceled during development.
Reports have highlighted persistent struggles with management and direction within Amazon’s gaming division. While CEO Andy Jassy affirmed a commitment to the gaming business several years ago, the division’s track record has been mixed. Amazon Games is not exiting the industry entirely, however, as it continues in its role as publisher for upcoming titles like Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst.
(Source: GameSpot)
