'That's how you actually end a live service' — this developer just shut down a free-to-play game by releasing an offline version with no microtransactions for fans to keep playing | Tech Radar
Overview
News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Details
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards.
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
'That's how you actually end a live service' — this developer just shut down a free-to-play game by releasing an offline version with no microtransactions for fans to keep playing
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Gung Ho Online Entertainment America, Inc. / Future)
Free-to-play live service game Let it Die shut down earlier this week
It's not the end, though, as players will still be able to play the game in a new offline state
The new offline version costs just
It feels like a live service game is shutting down every few weeks, and I'm no stranger to the crushing disappointment of learning that one of your favorite games is going offline.
Under the Radar is our way of highlighting great games that might have passed you by. Through a regular mix of news stories and features, we'll cover great experiences that we feel haven't found the audience they deserve. Read the full series here.
Normally, the news means you lose access to the game for good — with all your progress, achievements, and in-game items vanishing along with it. Just look at Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt, Anthem, or Hawked: three offline titles that died in the last few weeks alone and are now completely inaccessible by official means.
Although the reasons for such shutdowns are often understandable, it still seems like a massive waste of resources, development time, and sometimes some genuinely good game mechanics or ideas.
With Let it Die, however, developer Grasshopper Manufacture is defiantly bucking that trend. The free-to-play game shut down earlier this week after nine whole years on the market, but that doesn't mean it's now unplayable.
The company put in the work to create an offline version, which you can buy on PC or Play Station 4 for
'Everyone who bought this game should be eligible for a full refund': A digital-only Nintendo Switch game just became unplayable for those who paid for it — showing exactly why gamers are rebelling against Sony's disc-free Play Station plans
The live-service elements of Horizon Hunters Gathering are reportedly being stripped out following 'poor feedback' as new details emerge about several canceled Play Station titles
Somehow this Payday 3 alternative is still getting massive free updates three years after release
You can even bring over your progress from the online game if you played it before.
If you're not familiar with Let it Die, it's a roguelike hack-and-slash with a challenging, almost soulslike combat loop that has you battling your way through a massive enemy-filled tower.
Players loved its wacky writing (with iconic characters like its skateboarding rendition of the Grim Reaper) when it first released back in 2016, but microtransactions were pretty pervasive. In short, it was designed to make you part with real money to keep reviving your characters when you died, which, given the high level of difficulty, was pretty often for most.
With these mechanics now removed, I'm already seeing long-time fans call this new release the definitive version.
"Great to see this game won't ever die due to its servers being shut down now," wrote one Steam reviewer. "Plus all the crappy monetization which held the game back a ton is gone."
This bold FPS is the Kane & Lynch 2 successor I've been waiting for since the Xbox 360 days
'We've set this company up in preparation for this moment' — as Play Station scraps discs, these companies are ready to keep physical games alive
Others praise the decision to keep the game alive in some form: "Shutdown the servers but made sure the game was still playable afterwards. That's how you actually end a live service."
Of course, the irony of a game called Let it Die carrying on forever is not lost. "Can't say the devs don't have a sense of humor," quipped one player.
It goes to show that the end of a live-service title doesn't have to screw over gamers, and I hope other developers take note of the positive reception.
Follow Tech Radar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
Dash is an experienced tech journalist who specializes in video games, electronic entertainment products, and the wider industry that surrounds them. He currently serves as the Gaming Editor at Tech Radar, leading our review, preview, feature, and news coverage of the latest and greatest releases.
Before joining the team, he was Contributing Writer at PLAY (formerly Official Play Station Magazine UK) and has written articles for many of the UK's other biggest gaming magazines including the likes of Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.
Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
2026's Guide to Sporting Events: everything you need to know
Dell 14S takes aim at the Mac Book Neo — but I'm worried about the price
Shelly's new affordable security camera offers an alternative to Ring, no subscription necessary
The Whisper Man review — Robert De Niro and Adam Scott can't redeem this predictable and disappointing Netflix movie
I love Philips Hue lights, and with 40% off at Amazon, I'm expanding my setup beyond the living room
Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
Key Takeaways
- News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
- Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
- Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
- Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
- Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards
