Always-Online RTS Introduces Offline Mode After Server Provider Switches to AI Solutions

Stormgate, a free-to-play RTS crafted by a team of former Warcraft 3 and Starcraft 2 developers, has hit a snag: its online multiplayer provider has been acquired by an AI company, leading to a loss of server access. This poses a significant issue for Stormgate, as it relies on an always-online infrastructure. The developers are now racing to implement an offline mode.

On March 31, the team at Frost Giant shared some “unfortunate news” in the game’s official Discord. Since its launch in 2024, Stormgate has depended on Hathora for server orchestration, but with its acquisition by an AI firm, it seems Hathora’s resources will pivot towards AI services rather than supporting online multiplayer. This shift raises concerns about the future of the game.

As it stands, Stormgate will lose server connectivity by the end of April, which would effectively render the game unplayable. Fortunately, Frost Giant has committed to rolling out a patch that will enable offline play before the servers go dark. However, this means that online multiplayer features will be discontinued.

“We hope to restore online play in a future patch,” the developers stated on Discord. “But this work will depend on Frost Giant finding a partner to support ongoing operations.”

The absence of an offline mode has been a point of contention within the Stormgate community for some time. While Frost Giant previously indicated that an offline mode was on the horizon, it hadn’t been a priority—until now, it seems!

“We’re very grateful to our community of players, and we will post another update as more information becomes available, including details on how offline mode will function and whether we can release any patches before the server shutdown,” Frost Giant added. “Thank you for your support.”

This situation underscores the importance of incorporating offline modes into games, regardless of a developer’s commitment to long-term support. Even if only a portion of the game remains accessible after servers go offline or are taken over by an AI company, having an offline mode can extend the game’s lifespan, allow for resale on digital storefronts, and foster a community that can create mods and fan updates. The alternative is scrambling to implement such a mode in response to unforeseen circumstances.