$25M Offer to Save Amazon’s New World MMO | Rust Dev

SEATTLE, January 18, 2026

Rust Developer Offers $25 Million to Rescue Amazon’s New World MMO

A surprising offer from the creator of Rust could potentially save Amazon’s struggling online role-playing game, New World, from imminent shutdown.

• Amazon announced it will take New World: Aeternum offline at the end of January.
• The game faced a turbulent development and struggled to attract and retain players.
• Rust developer, Josh Wardle, offered $25 million to acquire the game and continue its development.
• Wardle believes games deserve a chance to thrive, even after initial setbacks.

Amazon’s online role-playing game, New World: Aeternum, is facing its end. The company announced this week that servers will go offline at the end of January, marking a disappointing conclusion to a project that once held significant promise. But a lifeline has emerged from an unexpected source: Josh Wardle, the creator of the popular survival game Rust, has offered a staggering $25 million to acquire New World and keep it alive.

A Rocky Launch and Declining Player Base

New World launched in September 2021 after several delays, and was initially met with enthusiasm. However, the game quickly faced criticism for bugs, exploits, and a lack of engaging endgame content. The player base dwindled over time, despite Amazon’s attempts to address the issues through updates and patches. The game’s struggles highlight the challenges of entering the competitive MMO market.

Did you know? New World’s development was plagued by reports of crunch and internal strife at Amazon Game Studios.

An Unexpected Savior

Wardle, known for his hands-on approach to game development and community engagement with Rust, expressed his belief that games “should never die.” He publicly offered $25 million to Amazon to take over New World, stating his intention to revitalize the game and provide it with the support it needs to succeed. The offer has sparked considerable discussion within the gaming community, with many players expressing hope that Amazon will consider the proposal.

The Future of New World Remains Uncertain

As of now, Amazon has not responded to Wardle’s offer. The company’s decision will likely hinge on a variety of factors, including the cost of continuing development, the potential for future revenue, and the overall strategic direction of Amazon Game Studios. Whether New World will find a second life under new ownership remains to be seen, but Wardle’s offer has injected a dose of optimism into a situation that appeared hopeless.

What factors contribute to the failure of MMOs? Often, a combination of technical issues, lack of compelling content, and poor player retention strategies can lead to a game’s decline, even with significant initial investment.