Multiplayer Features Discontinued as AI Company Acquires Game Servers on Steam

Stormgate, crafted by a team of former StarCraft 2 developers, set out to revolutionize real-time strategy games by making the genre more accessible. However, three years after entering early access, the game is facing an unexpected shutdown. This decision isn’t due to a lack of success or player engagement; rather, it stems from a server provider being acquired by an AI company that has opted to discontinue its services.

According to a recent announcement on Discord from Frost Giant Studios, the developers shared that their game server orchestration partner, Hathora, will cease operations at the end of April following its acquisition. Hathora also supports server infrastructure for other titles, but those services are currently on hold. After a 90-day period, the server platforms will be permanently taken offline.

Stormgate is a free-to-play strategy game that was once likened to a blend of StarCraft and Warcraft, featuring the kind of vibrant storytelling reminiscent of Blizzard’s classics. The project garnered significant attention, raising over $2.3 million through Kickstarter in 2023. However, once it became available, Stormgate received mixed reviews on Steam. While some players appreciated the developers’ responsiveness to feedback, others felt the game leaned too heavily on StarCraft’s formula. Even those who enjoyed it acknowledged that Stormgate fell short of the high expectations set during its development.

Hathora’s acquisition by Fireworks AI, a company founded by former Meta AI division employees, has led to a surge in demand for computing power due to the increasing reliance on AI technologies. This demand has put pressure on network and cloud services like Hathora’s, which are essential for processing vast amounts of data.

Frost Giant has indicated that they plan to patch Stormgate to allow for offline play and hope to restore full functionality in a future update. However, this effort hinges on the studio finding a new partner to support ongoing operations.

The situation surrounding Stormgate’s multiplayer aspect is quite unique and highlights a growing trend where advancements in AI are impacting the gaming industry. Many gamers are already feeling the effects of rising prices for computer chips necessary for building PCs and powering consoles. Frost Giant’s cautious language, coupled with the rapid expansion of AI, suggests that Stormgate may be the beginning of a troubling trend for the gaming landscape.