Wargaming Announces Shutdown of Steel Hunters Just Three Months After Early Access Launch

Wargaming Group Limited, the developer behind enduring live-service franchises like World of Tanks, has officially announced the impending shutdown of its latest project, Steel Hunters. The free-to-play mech-themed hero shooter, which launched into early access on Steam on April 2, 2025, will sunset on October 8, 2025, marking a short-lived journey that never made it beyond early access.

In an emotional statement posted to the game’s Steam page, Wargaming addressed the community, writing:

“Today we share difficult news. We've made the decision to sunset Steel Hunters. You've given us so much passion and support but unfortunately we've come to the conclusion that continuing development is not sustainable. We know this isn't the news anyone wanted to hear and we genuinely share in your disappointment.”

The announcement comes as a sobering moment for the title that was once touted as a new frontier for Wargaming. Revealed with fanfare at The Game Awards 2024, CEO Victor Kislyi declared, “This is a massive moment for Wargaming... With Steel Hunters, we're pushing past our boundaries and bringing something completely new. Our ambition is to create one of the most exhilarating and compelling mech experiences ever.”

Yet just over six months from that announcement and only three months post-launch, Steel Hunters will now join the growing list of free-to-play games that fail to reach even a one-year milestone. The decision underscores the growing volatility in the free-to-play and hero shooter markets, where only the most successful titles are able to sustain long-term viability.

To ease the transition and show appreciation for its community, Wargaming is unlocking all in-game content for every player. This includes every available Hunter, even previously unreleased characters that had been developed for future content drops. Players are encouraged to enjoy the game in its remaining weeks.

Additionally, custom match support will be added soon, enabling fans to host private games with friends and communities. Wargaming also announced plans for a farewell tournament, with further information to be shared through the game’s official Discord server.

A farewell video has been released as part of the announcement, reflecting on the short yet passionate journey of Steel Hunters and the community that rallied around it from Alpha testing through early access.

“We are immensely grateful for your time, feedback, memes, and countless memorable battles we've shared. From the very first days of Alpha, you've shaped Steel Hunters with your energy, creativity, and dedication, and we're honored to have had you on this journey. We couldn't have wished for a better community and we'll miss you all dearly. Thank you, Hunters, for everything.”

Were you one of the early Steel Hunters players? What are your thoughts on its shutdown? Share your favorite moments below.