Games That Died So Other Games Could Live

It’s wishful thinking to imagine a universe where video games can last forever, but alas, that’s not how it works. Some games undergo redevelopment to address significant problems, whereas others fade away indefinitely, as development studios prioritize new projects with greater prospects or historical significance.

However, not all “deaths” are negative; sometimes, like the phoenix rising from ashes, games that were cancelled or underperformed can come back stronger. Games such as innovative shooters and sequels that didn’t quite meet expectations have been temporarily shelved but could potentially outshine their original versions with further development.

The Crossing

A Stepping Stone For An Iconic Series

Canceled for other projects, notably Dishonored

Arkane Studios decided to discontinue a project named “The Crossing”, an innovative blend of storytelling and live multiplayer interaction, in favor of concentrating on single-player projects such as “Dishonored”. This choice eventually led to “Dishonored” becoming one of the studio’s greatest successes.

This shift showcases that abandoning a project isn’t always a waste of time, instead it signifies how creativity and skills can pave the way for future triumphs. In this instance, the termination provided an opportunity to redirect creative resources towards developing something leaner, more targeted, and eventually more comprehensive.

Anthem

Making Room For More Seasoned Franchises

Due to be shut down to focus on Dragon Age and Mass Effect

Following numerous setbacks and a rocky start, the much-anticipated game Anthem faced challenges in meeting many of its initial promises. After several years of hardships, the studio ultimately called off further updates and opted to shut down the game entirely by 2026.

The primary source of challenges arose because the attention was diverted towards the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series, both of which have proven to be successful. This tough decision underscored BioWare’s strategic commitments, and by halting one ongoing project, it allowed the studio to direct its veteran teams towards franchises that better align with their skills and audience preferences.

Paragon

Priorities Shifting To More Exciting Frontiers

The breakout success of Fortnite led the studio to end support

Epic Games closed down their hero-based MOBA game, Paragon, silently, primarily due to the phenomenal worldwide success of their battle royale game, Fortnite. Since the unexpected rise of Fortnite required the entire team’s attention, it made sense for the company to redirect their resources towards supporting Fortnite’s continued growth.

Although Paragon initially established strong bases, it got overshadowed by the rapidly growing battle royale genre. By reallocating resources, Epic Games was able to capitalize on this trend, avoiding a steady but limited success, and instead aligning themselves strategically with market trends.

Titanfall 2/3

Battle Royale Was Just Too Strong

Sequel/updates canceled to focus on Apex Legends

For approximately ten months, Respawn Entertainment had been working on a new Titanfall game, but they eventually decided to abandon it during development. This decision was made after the team became inspired by internal tests and the growing popularity of battle royale games. Instead, they diverted their energy into creating their successful shooter game, Apex Legends.

As a gamer, stepping out of my comfort zone can be nerve-wracking, but sometimes it’s necessary to spark change. I took a daring leap into the unknown with the decision to innovate, which unfortunately meant putting aside a highly anticipated sequel for our die-hard fans and halting updates for our current games. But luckily, that risky move paid off big time! Apex emerged as one of the hottest multiplayer shooters in recent years. Although a sequel to Titanfall seems elusive at the moment, there’s still a dedicated group of fans who continue to support and cherish Titanfall 2.

Knockout City

Redirecting Great Talent Elsewhere

Moving over to a new title after a surprise success

Despite the significant popularity and millions who gave it a try when Velan Studios released their unique blend of dodgeball and action titled “Knockout City,” an unexpected closure in June 2023 left many players surprised.

Instead of making further updates, the studio opted to reassign their team to an entirely fresh gaming genre, and with it, they introduced their latest game, titled “Hot Wheels Rift Rally“. This switch was daring, yet it appeared to be fruitful since the game now boasts multiple upcoming titles, suggesting a strong momentum and success.

Overwatch

An Update That Divided An Entire Community

Original serves shutdown in place of a 2.0 sequel/update

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share my perspective: Overwatch paved the way for the hero-shooter genre as we know it today. It’s hard to imagine where this genre would be without its groundbreaking influence. Many of the industry’s top games in this category have been significantly influenced by Overwatch, and it’s safe to say they owe a debt of gratitude to it.

This game made a grand entrance into the hero-shooter scene, shaking up the genre and ushering in a new era of popularity for both class-based and traditional shooters. However, after several years of development, the original game that captured our hearts underwent a significant transformation. A fresh coat of paint graced it, bringing with it drastic changes that fundamentally altered the way we play the game.

At first, the designers planned to debut with a Player vs Environment (PvE) mode as the primary focus. However, they decided to prioritize refining the multiplayer experience instead, which had evolved into a 5 versus 5 format. Although the core aspects of the original game, maps, and modes remain largely unchanged, there have been more regular updates, breathing new life into the game.

Bleeding Edge

Development Stopped To Free Up A New Vision

Development moved to a safer sequel than a live-service model

As a passionate fan, I’d like to share that, following the release of “Bleeding Edge,” a vibrant multiplayer brawler, Ninja Theory made the decision to pause further development on it. Instead, they chose to redirect their talented team towards the creation of “Hellblade II,” their highly anticipated narrative sequel.

This decision emphasizes the challenge of managing both ongoing service support for existing games and developing high-pressure sequels, as excelling in more than one area at a time is extremely rare. Prioritizing their primary franchise allowed them to dedicate the necessary resources to the eagerly awaited sequel, leading to a well-received experience, albeit at the cost of another game’s existence.

Battleborn

Pushed Aside For A Return To Gearbox’s Roots

A troubled launch that eventually led to a return of Borderlands

The action-packed hero shooter game developed by Gearbox, titled Battleborn, found itself gradually shifting into maintenance mode following its release. This was due to a fiercely competitive gaming landscape that hindered the game from gaining significant traction. As the player count decreased, the studio began focusing their efforts on creating Borderlands 3. The ideas and design concepts they had developed during their work on Battleborn, played a crucial role in this new project.

After release, the popular game Battleborn struggled to thrive in a tough gaming market. As player numbers dropped, the studio decided to channel their efforts into creating Borderlands 3, utilizing insights gained from their earlier work on Battleborn.

Though it didn’t gain widespread fame, it functioned as a playground for innovations which Gearbox utilized to boost their prominent series instead of maintaining a title that was falling short in performance.

2025-08-19 05:36