In a disheartening announcement, Bandai Namco Online has revealed that Gundam Evolution, a mech-fueled hero shooter set in the beloved Gundam anime universe, will be shutting down. The game, which launched last September for PC, followed by versions for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One in December, is slated to conclude its operations on November 29.
Executive producer of Gundam Evolution, Kazuya Maruyama, shared the news on the game’s official website, expressing gratitude to the players and supporters while also extending an apology to the fans. Despite the closure, Maruyama and his team are determined to conclude the title with a bang, ensuring that the game continues to receive updates until the very end.
Upcoming updates include Season 6, scheduled for August 23 (PDT), introducing a new unit and two maps. Subsequently, the final season, set for October 25 (PDT), will add a new unit and a map, allowing players to enjoy the new content before the game’s closure in November.
The impending shutdown of Gundam Evolution undoubtedly brings disappointment to its dedicated fanbase. Nevertheless, the commitment to providing fresh content until the final moments demonstrates the team’s dedication to ensuring players can fully experience the game until the servers go offline.
Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident in the world of live service games, as many titles face similar challenges. Not every entry can achieve the success of behemoths like Overwatch 2 or Destiny 2, and the free-to-play model presents both advantages and challenges for developers and players alike. Gundam Evolution joins the ranks of other unsuccessful ventures like BioWare’s Anthem and 2K’s Battleborn, showcasing the difficulties faced by diverse hero-shooter games in an oversaturated market.
Despite the setbacks and flaws encountered by these titles, it remains a melancholy sight to see their unique interpretations of the hero-shooter genre vanish from the gaming landscape. The closure of Gundam Evolution, like others before it, serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the gaming industry, where even creative and imaginative ventures may meet an unfortunate fate.
