The End of New World: Amazon Games Announces Cease of Content Updates

Amidst news of layoffs within Amazon’s corporate sector, the company has revealed plans to halt content updates for its MMORPG, New World, following the release of Season 10: Nighthaven.

Although the game will not be shutting down immediately, Amazon has confirmed that servers will remain operational until at least 2026, with a six-month notice period preceding any potential shutdown. Despite the impending lack of updates, New World will continue to be available for purchase and remain part of the PS Plus library. Microtransaction currency will also still be accessible, although the dwindling player base may impact the game’s overall appeal in the coming months.

Speculation looms over the future of Amazon Game Studios as players brace themselves for what’s to come.

Upon its debut in 2021, New World garnered significant attention as Amazon ventured into the realm of fantasy colonial MMORPGs on PC. The game saw a peak of over 900,000 concurrent players at launch, causing server strains. However, player numbers, as indicated by SteamDB, gradually declined in early 2022 before spiking again with the release of the first annual expansion, reaching over 130,000 players. The introduction of a console port in September with New World: Aeternum aimed to revitalize the game, but player counts on PC have since struggled to surpass 10,000 daily, rising to 50,000 following the Nighthaven update. While this player base could have been sustainable with adequate development support, it falls short of the numbers seen in games like Destiny 2, raising concerns about New World’s future.

The official announcement states:

As New World celebrates its fourth anniversary on PC, we reflect on the remarkable journey shaped by our dedicated player community. Your feedback and enthusiasm have played a crucial role in shaping Aeternum into the world it is today, and our team is immensely grateful for this shared experience. After four years of consistent content updates and a significant console release, we have reached a point where continuing to provide new content is no longer feasible.

The recent launch of Season 10 and the Nighthaven update will mark the final content release for New World on PC and consoles. This decision was made after careful consideration. As a token of appreciation to the New World community for their support over the years, we have made the Nighthaven release free for all players. To ensure all players can enjoy this content, we have also made Rise of the Angry Earth free for all PC users.

In the following months, more details will be shared regarding future plans and essential information. Rest assured, our aim is to keep servers operational until 2026, allowing our community ample time to continue their adventures in Aeternum. Additionally, New World: Aeternum will remain available for download to PlayStation Plus members (Extra and Premium).

Players of Aeternum: Your dedication and passion have made this New World journey truly unforgettable. We are profoundly grateful for every moment you have spent contributing to this extraordinary world. It has been an honor to explore Aeternum alongside you, and we thank you for helping shape this game into something truly special.

For further information on the game’s future, refer to the full FAQ.