Bandai Namco Online’s Gundam Evolution to Shut Down After Less Than a Year
In a surprising turn of events, Bandai Namco Online has announced that their popular game, Gundam Evolution, will be shutting down after less than a year since its debut. The free-to-play hero shooter set in the world of the popular anime arrived on Steam in September last year, followed by a console version in December, but it seems to have failed to meet the developer’s expectations.
Executive producer Kazuya Maruyama expressed his sadness in a blog update, stating, “We wanted to create a title that brought FPS fans and Gundam fans together. We challenged ourselves to create an authentic Gundam FPS game that could be played globally. Unfortunately, we have determined that it is no longer possible for us to provide a service that satisfies our players.”
While the exact reasons were not explicitly stated, it is likely that low player numbers played a significant role in the decision. Currently, Gundam Evolution only has 292 players, with a peak of 688 players over the past 24 hours. These figures are significantly lower than the game’s debut numbers, with an all-time peak of 56,911 players around its launch.
Despite the shutdown announcement, the Gundam Evolution team has assured players that updates will continue to roll out with season six. The final season is set to go live on 25th October, introducing a new unit and map. Maruyama expressed gratitude to those who supported the game and said, “We will do our best to ensure that our players can enjoy Gundam Evolution to the fullest till the very end.”
For players still actively engaged in the game, sales and purchases of EVO Coins will end on 26th July. However, any coins owned by players will remain usable until the end of service, although no refunds will be provided for previously purchased coins.
The Gundam Evolution team has promised to provide further details during its Mission Briefing Final, scheduled for tomorrow, 21st July. Fans and players are eagerly awaiting this update in hopes of gaining more insight into the future of the game and its closure.
It is unfortunate to see Gundam Evolution come to an end so soon after its debut, but it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in the competitive gaming industry.