Wargaming has revealed that its free-to-play game, Steel Hunters, will close down in October 2025, just a few months after debuting in early access. Launched in April, the game aimed to mirror the success of Wargaming’s hits like World of Tanks and World of Warships but struggled to find a dedicated player base.
The announcement was shared on Steel Hunters’ Steam page, where Wargaming expressed their regret over the decision, acknowledging the passion and support from the community but citing unsustainable development as the reason for the game’s closure.
Steel Hunters combined battle royale and extraction gameplay elements. Despite initial interest, it failed to maintain player engagement. According to SteamDB, the game reached a peak of 4,479 concurrent players but quickly lost momentum, with current numbers dropping significantly.
The game had a “Mixed” reception on Steam, with users often criticizing the publisher’s approach and gameplay mechanics. Wargaming plans to keep the servers running until October 8, and as a final offering, they will unlock all Hunters, including those unreleased, and support custom games for the remaining players.
Initially, Steel Hunters was set to launch on Xbox Series S|X and PS5, aiming to capture a wider audience. However, this expansion will not materialize, and the three-year development effort will be halted.
The live-service game industry is experiencing a downturn, with many titles struggling to maintain player interest amidst competition from giants like Fortnite and Roblox, which continue to dominate the market.
As a tech writer based in the UAE, I enjoy building and benchmarking PCs, contributing to various tech publications, and diving into games like Civilization and DotA. When not exploring the tech world, I recommend shows like Apple TV+’s Foundation to everyone I meet.
