Steel Hunters Mech Shooter Shutting Down After Just 6 Months
▼ Summary
– Wargaming is shutting down Steel Hunters, a free-to-play mech shooter, just six months after its reveal and three months into early access, citing unsustainable development.
– The developers expressed disappointment in discontinuing the game, acknowledging player support but stating continued development wasn’t viable.
– Steel Hunters was praised for its tactical gameplay but criticized for dull loot and overshadowed by more action-focused competitors like Mecha Break.
– The game struggled with low player retention, peaking at 4,479 concurrent players at launch before dropping to a few hundred, making it unsustainable.
– Servers will remain online for 90 days until October 8, with all mechs unlocked, custom game support added, and a farewell tournament planned.
The free-to-play mech shooter Steel Hunters is shutting down just six months after its high-profile reveal at the 2024 Game Awards and three months following its early access launch. Developer Wargaming announced the decision on Steam, citing unsustainable development despite player enthusiasm. The servers will remain active for 90 days before closing permanently on October 8.
Wargaming’s statement acknowledged the disappointment fans would feel, emphasizing how much the team valued community support. “We’ve come to the conclusion that continuing development isn’t feasible,” the post read. To soften the blow, the studio is unlocking all mechs, including unreleased ones, and adding custom game support for final player-organized matches. A farewell tournament is also in the works, with details to follow on the game’s Discord.
Initial reactions to Steel Hunters were mixed but hopeful. Critics praised its slower, tactical approach compared to faster-paced mech titles, though some found its loot system uninspired. Despite these strengths, player numbers never gained traction. SteamDB data shows a peak of 4,479 concurrent players at launch, but activity plummeted to mere hundreds shortly after. While not as abrupt as other live-service failures like Concord, the dwindling audience made long-term viability impossible.
For those who enjoyed its strategic combat, the next three months offer a chance to experience everything Steel Hunters had to offer before its servers go dark. The unlock of all content and planned community events aim to give fans a meaningful send-off.
(Source: PC Gamer)
