amazon is ditching mmos and cranking out Amazon has announced significant changes to its gaming division, including the cessation of much of its first-party AAA MMO development.
amazon is ditching mmos and cranking out
Overview of Changes in Amazon’s Gaming Division
In a memo from Steve Boom, Vice President of Audio, Twitch, and Games, Amazon revealed its decision to halt a substantial portion of its first-party AAA game development, particularly in the realm of Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games. This announcement comes amid broader layoffs within the company, reflecting a strategic pivot in its gaming strategy.
“While we’re proud of our successes in first-party AAA game development and publishing, we have made the difficult decision to halt a significant amount of our first-party AAA game development work – specifically around MMOs – within Amazon Game Studios,” Boom stated. He elaborated that this decision would lead to significant role reductions in their studios located in Irvine and San Diego, as well as within the central publishing team.
Impact on Existing Titles
New World: Aeternum
One of the most notable titles affected by this shift is New World: Aeternum, Amazon’s flagship MMO. The development team has announced that they will stop providing new content updates for the game. However, they clarified that they are not sunsetting the game “at this time” and assured players that “servers will be live through 2026.” The developers committed to providing “a minimum of six months’ notice before making any changes that impact your ability” to play the game, indicating a level of responsibility towards their player base.
Other MMO Titles
In addition to New World, Amazon also publishes other MMOs, including Throne and Liberty, developed by NCSoft and FirstSpark Games, and Lost Ark, developed by Smilegate RPG. An Amazon spokesperson, Brittney Hefner, confirmed that the company will continue to support these titles with regular updates and community engagement, ensuring that players of these games will receive new content for the foreseeable future.
Future Developments and Strategic Shifts
Despite the cutbacks in MMO development, Amazon is not completely withdrawing from the gaming landscape. The company has plans for various projects that align with its broader strategy. In 2023, Amazon announced a partnership with Embracer Group to develop a Lord of the Rings MMO, although there has been no immediate comment from either party regarding the status of this project.
Last year, Amazon also canceled a planned Western release of the Bandai Namco-developed MMO Blue Protocol, which had been shuttered in Japan in January. Such decisions illustrate the challenges Amazon faces in navigating the competitive gaming landscape, where player expectations and market dynamics are constantly evolving.
Focus on Casual and AI-Driven Games
Steve Boom emphasized that Amazon is pivoting towards more casual gaming experiences, particularly through its cloud gaming service, Luna. The recent launch of Luna has been described as a significant step in this direction. Boom noted that Luna features a catalog of social party games and AAA blockbusters, highlighting the company’s intention to deliver value to its Prime members while also focusing on streaming entertainment.
“Luna launched with a great catalog of social party games and AAA blockbusters, and we have a lot more to come from Jeff’s team on that front…it’s still Day 1,” Boom remarked, indicating that the company sees this as just the beginning of its efforts in the gaming sector.
Upcoming Projects
Amazon’s Studio 5 team has already made strides in this new direction with the release of Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg, a casual game optimized for Luna. This title showcases Amazon’s commitment to integrating AI technology into gaming, which Boom noted will continue to be a focus for the team.
Additionally, Boom highlighted a successful closed alpha for the MOBA March of Giants, which is currently in development. The company is also collaborating with external studio partners, including Crystal Dynamics on a new Tomb Raider game and Maverick Games on an open-world driving game. These partnerships indicate that Amazon is still actively pursuing diverse gaming experiences, albeit in different genres than MMOs.
Reactions from Stakeholders
The decision to halt MMO development has elicited a range of reactions from stakeholders, including players, industry analysts, and employees. Many players of New World expressed disappointment at the news, particularly those who had invested time and resources into the game. The announcement of no new content updates has raised concerns about the game’s longevity and community engagement.
Industry analysts have noted that Amazon’s pivot away from MMOs may reflect broader trends in the gaming market, where the competition for player attention is fierce. The success of casual games and the growing popularity of cloud gaming services may have influenced Amazon’s strategic shift. As players increasingly seek quick, engaging experiences, the demand for MMOs, which often require significant time investments, may be waning.
Employees within Amazon Game Studios are likely grappling with the implications of these changes. The memo from Boom acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, “There is no getting around the fact that days like this are hard, and we will be losing team members whose work and dedication have had an incredible impact on our customers over the years.” This sentiment underscores the emotional toll that layoffs and strategic shifts can have on a workforce.
Conclusion
Amazon’s decision to halt much of its first-party AAA MMO development marks a significant shift in the company’s gaming strategy. While this move may disappoint fans of titles like New World, it also opens the door for new opportunities in casual and AI-driven gaming experiences. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Amazon’s ability to adapt to market demands will be crucial in determining its success in this competitive industry.
As the company moves forward, it will be essential to monitor how these changes impact existing titles and the overall gaming ecosystem. The commitment to supporting other MMOs and the focus on casual gaming may provide a path for Amazon to carve out a niche in the crowded gaming market.
Source: Original report
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Last Modified: October 29, 2025 at 6:36 am
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