Amazon Games has announced the impending closure of the MMO New World in January 2027, but not without a bold proposal from veteran developer Alistair McFarlane, COO of Facepunch Studios. McFarlane playfully expressed an interest in purchasing the title and suggested a $25 million offer. He believes fervently that "games should never die."
In a recent social media post, McFarlane clarified that this offer is final, reinforcing his sentiment about game preservation. He further emphasized this principle by stating,
"Games should never die."
McFarlane isn't alone in his efforts; fellow developer Simon Collins-Laflamme, known for successfully reviving Hytale after its initial cancellation by Riot Games, offered his assistance, encouraging McFarlane to reach out for advice on acquiring canceled games.
As it stands, New World is set to cease operations as part of a broader restructuring at Amazon Games affecting its MMO division. Though the game is no longer available for purchase, players who have it in their library can continue to enjoy it until the servers shut down.
The possibility of resurrecting New World draws inspiration from Hytale's success, which saw funding for its development surge through pre-purchases, securing its future after a tumultuous past. Additionally, with recent discussions around the shutdown of BioWare's Anthem, where some developers have hinted that a revival might technically be possible, the conversation about the fate of games continues to evolve.
As conversations about game preservation gain traction, Maciej Gołębiewski, managing director at GOG, highlighted the complexity of ensuring that games do not simply vanish, pointing to the increasing relevance of these discussions following the closures of cult titles.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!