The free-to-play action RPG Dauntless, reminiscent of Monster Hunter, is set to shut down on May 29 following a series of setbacks for developer Phoenix Labs. The studio made the shutdown announcement today, stating, "Dauntless will receive no further content or updates, " in a Twitter message. It added emphatically that "Dauntless will no longer be available for play on and after May 29, 2025, at 11:45 PM PST. " In a post on their official Discord server, the team conveyed, "This was not an easy decision, and we want to express our gratitude to our players, partners, and the talented developers who brought Dauntless to life. " They continued, "To our community, your passion, creativity, and dedication transformed Dauntless into more than just a game - it evolved into a shared world where friendships were formed. We acknowledge that there were occasions when we missed the mark, but we always aimed to provide you with the best experience possible. We appreciate your feedback, patience, and support throughout the years. " While the shutdown may not have been entirely surprising given recent events, including the layoffs of the "majority of the studio" last month, fans had been bracing for the unfortunate news.

The Discord announcement generated numerous skull and saluting emojis in response. It’s important to note that Dauntless had a great run during its peak, but it encountered continuous challenges after Phoenix Labs was acquired by blockchain company Forte Labs in 2023. A wave of layoffs affected the studio in May 2024, coinciding with the cancellation of another game that had been in development for years. In December 2024, an unpopular update drastically altered the game's core systems, leading even one of the original staffers to voice opposition. This controversy tarnished what was once an eagerly anticipated debut on Steam, resulting in a flood of negative reviews. Game Developer previously highlighted that Forte Labs had urged developers to integrate blockchain technology into their projects, despite none achieving success after several failed attempts. Although these ambitions didn’t translate into Dauntless through gameplay or monetization, the game’s abrupt decline and drastic changes suggest that its creators may have received challenging directives from superiors.