Amazon Shuts Down New World MMO Amid Layoffs

In a shocking move, Amazon Games has announced it will wind down New World, its once-popular MMO, as part of company-wide layoffs. Despite a loyal fanbase, declining profits have forced Amazon to shift focus, leaving players and industry experts stunned.

Why Did New World Fail?

Launched in 2021, New World was Amazon’s ambitious entry into the MMO market. Set in a supernatural 17th-century world, it attracted 900,000+ concurrent players at its peak. The game’s deep crafting, faction wars, and stunning visuals drew comparisons to World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV.

But New World struggled with server crashes, bugs, and a lack of endgame content, causing a rapid player decline. Amazon released expansions (Brimstone Sands, Rise of the Angry Earth) to fix issues, but the game never fully recovered.

Amazon’s Rocky Gaming History

Amazon’s gaming division has faced repeated setbacks:
– 2020: Crucible shut down months after launch.
– 2023: A Lord of the Rings MMO was canceled.

Now, with 27,000+ layoffs since 2022, Amazon is retreating from risky gaming ventures. Even successful live-service games like New World aren’t safe without massive profits.

Player Reactions & Industry Impact

Fans are heartbroken, with many saying New World was improving:

“They finally fixed major issues—why quit now?” – Reddit user

Experts say this reflects a harsh reality:

“Games need constant investment. If they’re not Fortnite-level hits, publishers cut losses fast.” – Joost van Dreunen, gaming analyst

What’s Next for New World?

Amazon says New World will stay online, but no major updates are planned. The studio will focus on Lost Ark, another MMO it publishes.

For now, New World serves as a warning: Even big budgets can’t guarantee success in gaming. Will another company revive it, or is this the end?

Stay tuned for updates. Follow NextMinuteNews for more tech and gaming news.