Players who have dedicated numerous hours to Amazon’s MMORPG, New World, may be wondering: Is all my hard work about to be erased? Is the game facing shutdown?

This unease stems from a recent announcement regarding significant changes within Amazon’s gaming division.

In response, Amazon has clarified its situation, revealing that while the development of New World will halt, the game will still be operational for now. However, its future remains uncertain.

Currently, Amazon does not guarantee the game’s continuation beyond 2026 but assures players they will receive at least six months’ notice before any services are interrupted. Here’s some key information from their official communications:

“Are you planning to shut down the game?”

“No, not at this moment. While New World will not receive any new content updates, the servers will remain active until at least 2026.”

“How long can I expect to play New World: Aeternum?”

“We will share more details soon. Players will receive a minimum of six months’ notice before any changes to their ability to play New World: Aeternum are made.”

There will be no further game development; Season 10 and the recent Nighthaven update represent the final releases for New World. As a gesture of appreciation for player loyalty, these updates will be offered for free. The Rise of the Angry Earth update will also be free, but only for PC users. Additionally, seasonal events in the game will be discontinued.

The New World team explained, “After four years of consistent content updates and a major console launch, we have reached a point where sustaining new content for the game is no longer viable.”

“In the upcoming months, we will provide more information on what to expect and other important updates. Our aim is to maintain server operations through 2026, giving our community time to continue enjoying their adventures in Aeternum.”

They expressed gratitude for the time players have invested in creating this vibrant world together: “It has been a privilege to share Aeternum with you, and we thank you for contributing to making this game special.”

Launched in 2021, New World initially generated significant excitement due to its unique blend of faction warfare, territorial conflict, and skill-based gameplay. However, it has since lost much of its prominence, leading to the current situation.

This potential for server shutdowns starkly contrasts with many longstanding MMOs still thriving in the market, including giants like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, as well as smaller titles such as The Lord of the Rings Online and Star Wars: The Old Republic. These games are worlds where players invest considerable time, and facing the possibility of losing that investment can be a challenging and disheartening reality.