The live service field is already a demanding and crowded one, and another effort in the medium becomes the latest casualty. Originally launching in September of 2022, Bandai Namco's 6v6 online multiplayer shooter starring its legendary mobile combat units will be shutting down its servers this coming November 29th. An update is available, mapping out the last season of the game and its content.

The game's service will end on November 29, 2023 (PST).
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.  
We want to express our gratitude to everyone who has played the game and supported us to this point. At the same time, we would like to sincerely apologize to our fans and players.

Though GUNDAM EVOLUTION is coming to a close, updates will continue to roll out with Season 6 (new unit: Zeta Gundam & new maps: Ironworks (Domination) and Large Water Facility (Point Capture)) on August 23 (PDT) and the final season (new unit: Kampfer & new map: Space Fortress (Destruction)) on October 25 (PDT). We will do our best so players continue to enjoy the game while it remains live.

Gundam Evolution's player count, according to SteamDB, tell a rather grim sordid tale and why it isn't too surprising to see the game meet its fate. At its highest peak last September, 56,911 players were engaged in it on Steam, with Twitch viewership spiking at 157,879. Flash forward to today, where the numbers on Steam are dwindling further from four digits, hitting 688 players, as of July 20th. The Twitch views linger around the 40 count.

I find it amazing that in one calendar year, Bandai Namco squeezed out SIX seasons of content in a game that seemed to have a short ceiling. Even more amazing that an intellectual property with the historical reverence as Mobile Suit Gundam seemed to miss its target audience with a multiplayer video game. With Armored Core: Fires of Rubicon a month away, a seemingly robust single player game with some multiplayer features, there's likely more enthusiasm for that.

Were you a fan of Gundam Evolution, and will you miss it?