It stings when a game becomes inaccessible.

I’ll always remember those last few hours of Star Wars Galaxies, a galactic wake for its legions of fans while waiting for the servers to wind down. But what was once unique to the MMORPG has crept its way into mainstream gaming, and grown out of control. Server shutdowns are common in an era when so many gaming experiences are built on a live service model, where online connection is a necessity and a consistent player base is foundational. So, how do we mourn those games that don’t make it?

In November 2023, Gundam Evolution shut down; a digital-only hero shooter with a reliance on a demanding microtransactional model and a fanbase too small to sustain the game. Now, by most accounts, it was just “an alright hero shooter.” But there was something special to me about seeing all of my favorite characters (erm, mecha) in their full, action-packed glory. Blowing up Zakus will never get old, and it felt pretty darn good to do so in miniaturized combat zones. I was heartbroken when its cancellation was announced in July of last year.

But I’m starting to get used to that kind of heartbreak. And that’s bad. Live service these days is a cruel cycle; such games bank on big player bases and monetization enough to keep them profitable. And when they don’t? You end up with stories like that of BattleBorn, LawBreakers, and Gigantic: demonetized, then shut down, server by server. Hero shooters, battle royales, MOBAs; you could fill a graveyard with live service games derided by the masses at large as cash-ins, trend chasers, and cheap clones.

Never forget there are always people that cared about each and every one, whether developers or players. Big or small, there’s no game in existence without at least a few dedicated fans, and nothing hurts more than losing out on the experience of playing. I felt that kind of attachment to Gundam Evolution, and I’m doubtless going to get attached to other games in the future. With Blizzard changing hands, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that their MOBA, Heroes of the Storm, sticks around.

It’s more important than ever to remember games like these. And luckily, technology has made that a bit easier. I spoke before about Star Wars Galaxies shuttering, but its fan-made successor, Star Wars Galaxies Legends, is big enough to produce its own expansions to the twenty-year old MMORPG. Recording software is better than ever, too. Gameplay videos, whether professional, amateur, or just plain funny, are valuable to memorializing those games that are gone, but not forgotten.

But if we want to mourn, the most important thing we can do is keep the memory of those games and the passion behind them in our hearts, and hope that the future is a little more kind to the industry, its developers, the fans, and the games we all just love to play.

Any games you’re grieving? Any you’re worried about? I’m a little anxious about the servers of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 generation going forward. Play ‘em while they’re here, folks. Share your thoughts in the comments below or on the Boss Rush Discord server.

Featured Image: Bandai Namco (via Gundam Evolution)

---

The Boss Rush Podcast – The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and the Boss Rush Network. Each week, Corey, Stephanie, LeRon, and their friends from around the internet come together with other creators, developers, and industry veterans to talk about games they’ve been playing, discuss video game and entertainment based topics, and answer questions solicited on social media and the community Discord. 

New episodes of The Boss Rush Podcast release every Monday morning on YouTube and all major podcast applications like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Patreon supporters gain one week early access. 

Listen on your favorite podcast application or watch on YouTube!
Anchor | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | Twitch | Overcast | Pocket Casts | Stitcher | Amazon Music

Follow The Boss Rush Podcast on Social Media: Twitter | Discord | Instagram | Twitch | YouTube | Facebook Group