Spectre Divide, the FPS Shroud Supported, Shuts Down After 6 Months Since Launch

Mountaintop Studios has announced the closure of its tactical FPS game, Spectre Divide, just six months after launch. The decision comes after the game failed to meet the company's financial expectations, despite initial optimism.

Spectre Divide to Go Offline in 30 Days

The underwhelming performance of Season 1 and the console launch proved unsustainable for Mountaintop Studios. In a message to fans on March 13th, CEO Nate Mitchell explained that the game's success didn't reach the necessary level to maintain operations. While Spectre Divide initially boasted over 400,000 players and a peak concurrent player count of 10,000, sustained player engagement and revenue proved insufficient. Game Director Lee Horn attributed some of the issues to server problems impacting the initial launch momentum. Mitchell further clarified that the lack of engagement with Season 1 ultimately led to the difficult decision to shut down. The game is expected to go offline within 30 days, with plans to disable new purchases and refund player spending since the Season 1 relaunch. Further details on refunds will be announced shortly.

$30 Million Investment Proves Insufficient

The closure comes as a surprise considering Mountaintop Studios secured $30 million in funding last year from prominent investors including Anthos Capital, RX3 Growth Partners, and A16Z GAMES, along with angel investors. However, Mitchell stated that despite exploring all avenues, including seeking a publisher, additional investment, or acquisition, the company was unable to secure the necessary resources to keep the game and studio afloat. He acknowledged the challenges of the current gaming market, emphasizing the inherent risks involved in launching an innovative game in a competitive landscape.

Spectre Divide's closure adds to the growing list of live-service games that have struggled to maintain profitability, joining titles like Multiversus, Babylon's Fall, and Concord, as well as cancelled projects like The Last of Us Online and a reported God of War live-service game.

Mountaintop Studios to Close This Week

With remaining capital exhausted, Mountaintop Studios will cease operations by the end of the week. Mitchell expressed the team's dedication to creating a unique and memorable experience, but ultimately, the financial realities proved insurmountable.