The rise of Web Games and MMOs has led to a particular form of Abandonware. Such games work by having players' computers constantly communicating with central servers. These servers have to be run by the game studio, which is intensive in both money and labor. They thus depend upon a consistent flow of players and profit to justify keeping them running. As a result, there will inevitably come a time when an online game is no longer supported by its creators. Perhaps the game simply wasn't profitable enough to be worth maintaining, or the creators themselves folded, or (perhaps the best-case scenario) there's a sequel that has made the original obsolete. Whatever the case, the servers go down, the game is no longer sold commercially, and it simply cannot be played anymore.
Sometimes, fans will create new servers to keep playing, or outright remake the game from the ground-up. But most games never see such a revival due to cease-and-desist orders, not enough fanbase to spark interest, a lack of source code or ways to reverse-engineer the server, or other reasons.
For online games that were never released to begin with, see Canceled Video Games. Related to Temporary Online Content, where game content is made available online for a limited amount of time, and can no longer be obtained after that. Also related to Permanently Missable Content; in this case the entire game is permanently missable if you learn of it too late.
It's also worth noting that this trope is a major reason why DRM is controversial in the gamer community: DRM often requires connection to a server to verify the software as an anti-piracy measure. Thus, if the developers stop maintaining their DRM servers, you can be prevented from playing a game you bought perfectly legally. While the more benign variants of this will require it only once upon the initial install, even that can later make an otherwise offline game unplayable if a re-install of any sort is needed. For simplicity, though, this page will stick to games whose major or only component was the online mode.
Services
- Dynamic Network Authentication System (2003-2016): Copy Protection for PlayStation 2 online multiplayer gamesnote
- GameSparks (201?-2022): Games that used this backend service were either shut down or lost online functions.note
- GameSpy (1996-2014): Games that used this backend service were either shut down or lost online functions if they didn't receive replacements from either the original developers or their fan community. GameSpy also served as the backend of the...
- Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (2005-2014): Every online multiplayer video game for the Nintendo DS and Wiinote
- Nintendo Network: Online functionality for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2011/2012-2024)note 1note 2
- PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store access for the PlayStation Portable (2004-2021) note
- SegaNet (2000-2001): Every online multiplayer video game for the Sega Dreamcast in North America
- Xbox 360 Microsoft Store access (2005-2024) note
- Xbox Live 1.0 (2004-2010): Every online multiplayer video game for the original Xboxnote
Individual Games
- 22/7 Ongaku no Jikan (2020-2021)
- 8Realms (2011-2012)
- Ace Combat Infinity (2014-2018)
- Adventure Time Battle Party (2014-2017)
- Age of Armor (2007-2012)
- Age of Empires: Castle Siege (2014-2019)
- Aliens Online (1998-2000)
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012-2024)
- ArchLord (2005-2014)
- ARGONAVIS from BanG Dream! AAside (2021-2022): Succeeded by Argonavis -Kimi ga Mita Stage e- in 2024.
- Arpiel (2015-2018, Korea; 2017-2019, Taiwan and Russia; 2018-2021, Japan)
- Asheron's Call (1999-2017)
- Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings (2002-2005)
- Asta Online (2017)
- Atlas Reactor (2016-2019)
- Auto Assault (2006-2007)
- Avalon Heroes (2009-2013)
- Avalon Rematch (2014-2015)
- Avatar High (200?-201?)
- Babylon's Fall (2022-2023)
- Back to the Future: Blitz Through Time (2010-2012): A Bejeweled Blitz clone made to promote the Telltale video game.
- Battleborn (2016-2021)
- Battle Cats Rangers (2017-2019)
- Battle Girl High School (2015-2019)
- Battlefield series:
- Battlefield Heroes (2009-2015)
- Battlefield Play4Free (2011-2015)
- Battlestar Galactica Online (2011-2016)
- Bakugan Dimensions (2010-2011)
- BeatStream (2014-2017): arcade operators had the option to receive kits to convert the game to Nostalgianote
- Big Al Game (200?-201?)
- Big Bible Town (2010-201?)
- Big Fat Awesome House Party (2006-2009)
- Black Command (2018-2019)
- BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War (2021-2022)
- Blocksworld (2013-2020)
- BooniePlanet (2014-2020)
- Brave Nine Story (2022-2024)
- Breach (2019)
- Build-A-Bear-Ville (2008-2015)
- Café World (2009-2014)
- Cars series:
- Cars: Fast as Lightning (2014-2016)
- The World of Cars Online (2008-2012)
- Chronicles of Spellborn (2008-2010)
- Chromehounds (2006-2010): Only the single player campaigns are playable, which ultimately serve as an extended tutorial for its defunct online.
- City of Steam: Arkadia (2014-2016)
- Cocktail Prince (2017-2018)
- Code Geass: Genesic Re;Code (2021-2023)
- Crasher (2011)
- The Crew (2014–2024)
- Crimesight (2022-2023)
- CROSS×BEATS (2013-2018)
- The Culling (2017-2019)
- The Culling 2 (2018)
- Cybernet Worlds (2001-2014)
- Daily Life With Monster Girl Online (2015-2016)
- Darkfall (2009 MMORPG; no relation to the adventure game series Dark Fall) (2009-2012)
- Darkfall: Unholy Wars (2013-2016)
- Dark Nexus Arena (2015-2016)
- Darkspore (2011-2016)
- Date A Live: Spirit Pledge (2018-2023)
- Dawn of the Breakers (2018-2020)
- Dawngate (2013-2015)
- The Day Online (2018-2018)
- DC Universe:
- Batman: Arkham Underworld (2016-2017)
- Infinite Crisis (2015)
- Dead Island: Epidemic (2014-2015)
- Dead Star (2016)
- Deathgarden (2018-2020)
- Deco Online (2008-2011)
- Defiance (2013-2021)
- Destiny Child (2018-2023): A Memorial Update will allow players to view unlocked content after the game's shutdown.
- Devil's Third Online (2016-2017)
- Digimon ReArise (2018-2022)
- Disney Music Parade (2021–2023)
- Disney Tsum Tsum Land (2017–2024)
- Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia (2018-2024)
- Doctor Who Expanded Universe:
- Doctor Who Legacy (2013-2019): Succeeded by the offline Doctor Who: Infinity.
- Doctor Who: Worlds in Time (2012-2014)
- Dragalia Lost (2018-2022)
- Dragon Ball Online (2010-2013)
- Dragon Project (2016-2020)
- Dragon Tavern (2008-2022)
- Drawn to Death (2017-2019)
- Dreadnought (2017-2023)
- Driveclub (2014-2020)
- Dungeon Keeper series:
- Dungeon Keeper Online (2012-2013)
- Dungeon Keeper (2014 mobile game) (2014-2022)
- Durango: Wild Lands (2019)
- DUST 514 (2013-2016)
- Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed (2017-2022)
- Earth Eternal (2009-2011)
- Earthrise (2011-2013)
- Echoes of Mana (2022-2023)
- Eliminate Pro (2009-2012)
- Emil Chronicle Online (2005-2017)
- The End (2012) (2010-2017)
- Endless Ages (2003-2007)
- Ensemble Girls! (2012-2015)
- Ensemble Girls!! (2016-2018): Updated version with Live2D models. Ultimately replaced with Ensemble Girls!! ~Memories~ in 2018, allowing players to read the stories from the updated version.
- Erenor (2011-2015)
- Error Game Reset (2023-2024)
- Ether Saga Odyssey (2009-2016)
- EverQuest Online Adventures (2003-2012)
- Evolve (2015-2023)
- EZ2ON series:
- RETRO EZ2ON (2008-2009)
- EZ2ON REBOOT (2013)note
- Face Of Mankind (2005-2015)
- Family Guy Online (2012-2013)
- Fantasy Earth Zero (2006-2022, Japan; 2010-2011, North America)
- Fantage (2008-2018)note
- FIFA World (2013-2015)
- Fight League (2017-2020)
- Fight My Monster (2011-2016)
- Final Combat (2011-2018)
- Final Fantasy series:
- Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier (2021-2023)
- Mobius Final Fantasy (2015-2020)
- Firefall (2014-2017)
- Front Mission: Online (2005-2008)
- FusionFall (2008-2013)
- Futurama: Worlds of Tommorrow (2017-2023)
- Game of Thrones: Ascent (2013-2019)
- Geomon (2010-2013)
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - First Assault Online (2015-2017)
- Girl Café Gun (2019-2023)
- Glitch (2011-2012)
- God Eater series:
- God Eater Mobile (2010-2011)
- God Eater Online (2017-2018)
- God Eater: Resonant Ops (2018-2020)
- Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising (2011-2012)
- Godzilla Kaiju Collection (2015-2016)
- Grandia Online (2009-2012)
- Grimms Notes (2016-2020): App still available as a cutscene viewer. Succeeded by Project Grimms.
- Gundam series:
- SD Gundam Capsule Fighter (2007-2015)
- Universal Century Gundam Online (2005-2007)
- Gundam Evolution (2022-2023)
- Guns Up! (2015-2023)
- Gwisal-ui Geom (the infamous Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba mockbuster game) (2020)
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (2019-2022)
- Hawken (2012-2017)
- Here Be Monsters (2012-2015)
- Hero: 108 Online (2010-2013)
- Hitman Sniper: The Shadows (2022 - 2023)
- The Hook Up (200?-200?)
- Hoshinari Echoes (2019-2020)
- The Idolmaster series:
- THE iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls (2011-2023; not to be confused with the still-online spinoff game The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls: Starlight Stage)
- THE iDOLM@STER: Million Live! (2013-2018) Succeeded by The iDOLM@STER Million Live Theater Days.
- THE iDOLM@STER: SideM (Original Mobage 2014-2023, LIVE ON ST@GE! 2017-2021, Growing Stars 2021-2023)
- IDOLA: Phantasy Star Saga (2018-2022): The game's cutscenes have been archived on the game's official YouTube channel.
- Immortal Soul: Black Survival (2016-2022)
- Impressive Title (2008-2010): Succeeded by FeralHeart.
- Innerstar University (2010-2015)
- Invokers Tournament (2015-2019)
- InWorldz (2010-2018)
- Jump Force (2019-2022)
- Kaneva (2004-2016)
- Kingdom Hearts χ (2013-2016)
- Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ/Kingdom Hearts Union χ (2015-2021): App still available as a cutscene viewer, due to the main campaign's importance to the overarching narrative of the otherwise single-player offline Kingdom Hearts series. The single-player Dark Road component was relaunched in September 2022. Succeeded by Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link.
- Kirara Fantasia (2017-2023)
- Kisses And Curses (2016-2018)
- Knights of the Crystals (2010-2012)
- Kung Fu Panda World (2010-2012)
- Land of Chaos Online (2010-2012)
- Landmark (2016-2017)
- Last Period (2016-2022)
- Legends of Future Past (1992-2000)
- Legends of Norrath (2007-2016)
- Legends of Zork (2009-2011)
- LEGO games:
- LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed (2020-2022)
- LEGO Minifigures Online (2015-2016)
- LEGO Universe (2010-2012)
- LittleBigPlanet series:
- LittleBigPlanet (2008-2021)
- LittleBigPlanet 2 (2011-2021)
- LittleBigPlanet PS Vita (2012-2021)
- LittleBigPlanet Karting (2012-2018)
- LittleBigPlanet 3 (2014-2024)
- Littlest Pet Shop Online (2009-2011)
- Littlest Pet Shop VIPs World (2007-2010)
- Little Tail Story (March 2014 - October 2014)
- Link Realms (2016-2018)
- Loadout (2014-2018)
- Lord of Ultima (2010-2014)
- Lost Reavers (2015-2019)
- Lovestruck (2017-2022)
- Love Live! series:
- Love Live! School idol festival (2013-2023)
- Love Live! School Idol Festival ALL STARS (2019-2023)
- Love Live! School idol festival 2 MIRACLE LIVE! (2023-2024): The global server, which launched after the announcement of the Japanese server's closure, interestingly made its launch and closure announcements one and the same, running for a mere three months.
- Lunia (2007-2013)
- MAG (2010-2014)
- Magicka: Wizard Wars (2014-2016)
- Marvel Universe:
- Marvel: Avengers Academy (2016-2019)
- Marvel: Avengers Alliance (2012-2016)
- Marvel Heroes (2012-2017)
- Super Hero Squad Online (2011-2017)
- The Matrix Online (2004-2009)
- Memoria Freese (2017/8-2023)
- Mimesis Online (2001-2005)
- Millsberry (2004-2010)
- The Mighty Quest For Epic Loot (2013-2016): Rebooted as a mobile game in 2019.
- Miitomo (2016-2018)
- Million Arthur (2014-2020)
- Mirage: Arcane Warfare (2017-2018)
- ModNation Racers (2010-2018)
- Moirai (2014-2016)
- Monkey Quest (2011-2014)
- Monster Hunter series:
- Monster Hunter Frontier (2007-2019)
- Monster Hunter Online (2013-2019)
- Moshi Monsters (2006-2019)
- My Monster Rancher (2011-2014)
- Motor City Online (2001-2003)
- Muv-Luv Alternative: Strike Frontier (2016-2018)
- Namu Amida Butsu! (2016-2018)
- Namu Amida Butsu! -UTENA- (2019-2020)
- Neo Steam (2009-2012)
- NERF Ultimate Championship (2022-2023)
- Neverwinter Nights (AOL) (1991-1997)
- Nickelodeon Clickamajigs (199?-2018)
- Nicktropolis (2007-2010)
- NieR Re[in]carnation (2020-2024): The Taiwanese/Southeast Asian server was the first to meet its demise on June 30 2023; Japanese and English servers were shut down on April 30, 2024.
- Nine to Five (2021-2023)
- Nosgoth (2015-2016)
- Nululu Online (2005-around 2007)
- On Air! (2018-2020)
- Onverse (2009-2018)
- Outernauts (2012-2016)
- Outer Worlds (1998-2014) (Not to be confused with Outer Wilds or The Outer Worlds)
- Override: Mech City Brawl (2018-2022): Succeeded by Override 2 Super Mech League.
- O2Jam series:
- O2Jam (PC) (2002-around 2013)
- O2Jam Analog (2010-2013)
- O2Jam U (2012-2019)
- Pac-Man series:
- Pac-Man Monsters (2014-2015)
- Pac-Man 99 (2021-2023): Offline modes purchased prior to the game's online shutdown can still be played.
- Paragon (2016-2018)
- Petpet Park (2008-2014)
- Pet Society (2008-2013)
- Phoenix Chronicles Online (2007-2010)
- pixiehollow.com (2008-2013)
- PlanetSide (2003-2016): Succeeded by PlanetSide 2.
- PlanetSide Arena (2019-2020)
- Planet Mion (2006-2012)
- PlayStation Home (2008-2015)
- Pop Stage (2007-2012)
- Pokémon series:
- Pokémon Duel (2016-2019)
- Pokémon Rumble Rush (2019-2020)
- Pokémon Brick Bronze (a Fan Game in Roblox) (2016-2018)
- poupéegirl (2007-2015)
- Postopia (1999-2009)
- Project NOAH (2019-2020)
- Project Spark (2014-2016)
- Project of Planets Online (2009-2011)
- Puzzle Fighter (2017-2018)
- Queen's Gambit (2014-2016)
- Radical Heights (2018-2018)
- Ravenwood Fair (2010-2013)
- Realms of Kaos (1996-2013)
- Remnants of Skystone (2008-2014)
- Re:Zero Lost in Memories (2020-2023)
- Ridge Racer Driftopia (2013-2014)
- Rise of Immortals (2012-2013)
- Rockman Xover (2012-2015)
- Rumbleverse (2022-2023)
- Rush Wars (2019)
- Rusty Hearts (2011-2014)
- RWBY: Amity Arena (2018-2021)
- R2Beat (2006-2014, Korea; 2006-2009, Japan; 2006-2019, China)
- Saint Seiya Online (2013-2020, South America; 201?-2018, most Asian countries)
- Sakura Revolution (2020-2021)
- SEED (2006)
- Sega Heroes (2018-2020)
- SEVEN's CODE (2019-2022)
- Seven Dwarfs: The Queen's Return (2013-2014)
- Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE (2007-2016): The RE:Imagine fan server was shut down in September 2022 out of precaution after Atlus sued a different fan-made revival project.
- Show by Rock!! (2013-2019)
- Show by Rock!! Fes a Live (2020-2022)
- Sin Chronicle (2022-2023)
- Sins of a Dark Age (2015)
- Skylanders series:
- Skylanders: Ring of Heroes (2018-2022)
- Skylanders: Universe (2011-2013)
- Smash Land (2015)note
- Soulcalibur: Lost Swords (2014-2015)
- Space Junkies (2019-2022)note
- Spellbreak (2020-2023)
- Sploder (2007-2020)note
- SpongeBob Moves In (2013-2021)
- StarBlood Arena (2017-2019)
- Stargate Resistance (2010-2011)
- Star Ocean: Anamnesis (2016-2021)
- StarQuest Online (2007-2014)
- Star Wars: Uprising (2015-2016)
- Strife (2015 MOBA) (2015-2018)
- Super Mario Bros. series:
- Dr. Mario World (2019-2021)
- Super Mario Maker (2015-2021): All stages that were uploaded prior to closure remained archived online and playable until the shutdown of the aforementionned Nintendo Network. Succeeded by Super Mario Maker 2.
- Super Bomberman R Online (2020-2022): This game's main gameplay mode, Battle 64, was carried over to Super Bomberman R 2.
- Super Monday Night Combat (2012-2018)
- Super Robot Wars X-Ω (2015-2021)
- Super Sentai Legend Wars (2016-2020)
- Sword Art Online:
- Memory Defrag (2017-2021)
- Unleash Blading (2019-2023): Formerly Alicization Rising Steel (worldwide)/Alicization Blading (Japan).
- Symphogear XDU (2017 - 2024): The English/International servers were only up for 5 months (Feb-May 2020), while the game will terminate its Japanese server on January 31st 2024.
- Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain (2004-2008)
- Tabula Rasa (2009-2010)
- Tales Series:
- Tales of Link (2014-2018)
- Tales of Crestoria (2020-2022)
- Tales of Luminaria (2021-2022)
- Tekken Revolution (2013-2017)
- Terra Battle (2014-2020)
- Terra Battle 2 (2017-2018)
- Terra Wars (2019)
- The Battle for Cedar Point (2016-2021)
- The Battle for Kings Dominion (2017-2021)
- Tom Clancy universe:
- EndWar Online (2015-2016)
- Ghost Recon Online (2012-2016)
- Tom Clancy's Elite Squad (2020-2021)
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (2015-2017)
- Touhou Cannonball (2019-2020)
- Touhou Danmaku Kagura (2021-2022)
- tranquility (2001-2010) Note
- Transformers Universe (2014-2015)
- Trickster Online (2003-2013)
- TRON: Evolution (2010-2019): Although an offline single-player game, Disney's license of the SecuROM DRM software expired in 2019, rendering the game unplayable without hacking.
- Twisted Metal: Black Online (2002-2008)
- Universal Monsters Online (2012-2013)
- Valkyrie Anatomia (2016-2021)
- Valkyrie Crusade (2013-2021)
- Vanguard: Saga of Heroes (2007-2014)
- Video Horror Society (2022-2023)
- War of Legends (2010-2015)
- War of the Roses (2012-2017)
- War of the Vikings (2014-2017)
- Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade (2016-2021)
- Whirled (2008-2017)
- Wild ARMs: Million Memories (2018-2019)
- WildStar (2015-2019)
- The Wild Thornberrys: Australia Wildlife Rescue (20??-201?)
- Wizardry Online (2013-2014)
- WonderKing (2010-2011 NA; 2007-2014 globally)
- World Flipper (2019-2024)
- Yogurting (2005-2011)
- Yo-kai Watch series:
- Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars (2019-2020)
- Yo-kai Watch World (2018-2022)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Cross Duel (2022-2023)
- Yumeiro Cast (2015-2019)
- Arche Age (2014-2024): North America and Europe servers shut down, Korean server remains active.
- BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! (2018-2024): Korean server discontinued.
- Dragon Quest of the Stars (2020-2021)
- Dragon Quest Tact (2020-2024)
- Drift Spirits (2015-2016)
- Eden Eternal (2011-2021)
- Elyon (2021-2022): North America and Europe servers shut down.
- Final Fantasy Record Keeper (2015-2022)
- Helix Waltz (2018 - 2022)
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (2019-2020)
- Pangya (2004-2016): An extreme case in that both the English and domestic South Korean servers shut down in 2016; as of 2022, the Thai server is the game's last official server.
- Phantasy Star Online 2 (2014-2017): Southeast Asia and Taiwan servers were launched and later discontinued. Succeeded by the release of a Global server.
- Princess Connect! Re:Dive (2020-2022)
- Rage of Bahamut (2012-2016)
- Ragnarok II: Legend of the Second (2012-): Inverted - The South Korean servers shut down in 2013; as of 2022, only the North American servers are up.
- Sora no Kiseki: Kizuna (2018)
- Tales of Phantasia mobile (2014)
- Tales Of The Rays (2017-2018)
- Touken Ranbu (2015-): Both the English and Chinese servers shut down on August 21, 2023.
- Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble (2016-2018)
- Ascend: Hand of Kul (2013-2016): Relaunched as Ascend: Reborn in December 2022.
- Beast Summoning: Cryptract (2015 - 30 June 2023 [JP]), (2018 - 2020 [EN]): While the EN version is completely gone, the JP version is slated to get an offline version. Additionally, both Cryptract and Mithrasphere will be getting a collaboration event with fellow Bank of Innovation game MementoMori: AFKRPG in Winter 2023.
- BEMANI net-requiring games with offline-enabling final patches:
- DanceEvolution ARCADE (2012-2016)
- MÚSECA (2015-2018): Alternatively, arcade operators had the option of receiving kits to convert the game to Bishi Bashi Channel.
- Bless Unleashed (2020-2022): The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game were discontinued in favor of the PC version.
- Border Break: The PS4 port has been shut down (2018-2023), but the original arcade game remains operational. Offline modes such as Story Missions are still playable on PS4; Exhibition remains playable but requires a PS+ subscription.
- Burnout Paradise (2008-2019): The online servers for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows versions of the original game only. The Remastered servers for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch are still online.
- Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls (2019-2020): The original mobile version (exclusive to Canada) was discontinued. The game was later ported to Apple Arcade as a subscription service game with the monetization elements removed.
- Club Penguin Island (2017-2018): The game can still be played through offline mode if the player has installed the game prior to closure.
- Cosmic Break (2008-2020): Relaunched as Cosmic Break: Universal in 2021.
- crossbeats REV. (2015-2018): A final update patch allows the game to be played offline with all content available without needing a user account.
- Dankira!!! -Boys, be DANCING!- (2019-2020): A day after the online version shut down, the offline version was launched that had additional content such as the conclusion to the main story and new Killer Tricks.
- Dungeon Fighter Online (2010-2013): Nexon-published version only; game relaunched in 2015 as Dungeon Fighter Online Global, self-published by developer Neople.
- Dragon Quest X: Square Enix dropped support for the Wii (2012-2017), Wii U (2013-2024) and Nintendo 3DS (2014-2024) clients due to inferior technical specifications. Other clients on more powerful hardware remain active.
- Dynasty Warriors Online (2007-2022): Only the PlayStation 4 version is still active.
- Everybody Edits Flash (2010-2020): It still can be played offline in its Everybody Edits Offline version. The game's current planned successor, titled similarly as Everybody Edits!, is also in development.
- Final Fantasy XIV:
- FFXIV 1.0 (2010-2012): After 1.0 ended, the game was relaunched as Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn in 2013.
- FFXIV on PlayStation 3 (2013-2017): Support dropped as of the release of the second expansion, in favor of shifting console focus to the PlayStation 4.
- Gigantic (2017-2018): Relaunched in 2024 as Gigantic: Rampage Edition.
- Grand Chase (2003-2015): Relaunched in 2021 as Grand Chase Classic.
- Grand Theft Auto Online (2013-2021): Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions only.
- Groove Coaster (2013-2024): Arcade versions only.
- The following games in the Halo series had their original releases shut down, but their online remains active through ports on the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC in the Compilation Re-release The Master Chief Collection:
- Halo 2 (2004-2010)
- Halo 3 (2007-2021)
- Halo 3: ODST (2009-2021)
- Halo: Reach (2010-2021)
- Halo 4 (2012-2021)
- Heroes Evolved (2017): This only applies for the PC version. The mobile version (released in 2016) is still active.
- Knockout City (2021-2023): A PC version for private servers was announced.
- Mega Man X DiVE (2021-2023): A standalone version, Mega Man X DiVE Offline, was released in 2023, although players cannot transfer their progress to the offline version.
- Metal Gear Online (The Phantom Pain version) on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (2015-2022)
- Mitrasphere (8 August 2017 - June 30 2023 [JP]), (2021 - 2023 [EN]): Like its sister game Cryptract, Mitrasphere JP will be getting an offline version and a collab event with MementoMori.
- Moneyville/Pengeby (2008-unknown): The original Flash version and its iOS and Android ports are no longer available but Danske Bank has made a rebooted version of the game available on iOS and Android.
- Overwatch (2016-2022): Relaunched as the free-to-play Overwatch 2 the day after its shutdown, with all multiplayer components and player progression transferred over.
- Pocket Card Jockey (2014-2015): The Japanese iOS and Android version was discontinued. The offline 3DS version remains playable and was available to purchase until the eShop's closure in April 2023. An Updated Re-release, Ride On!, was later released for Apple Arcade subscribers in 2023.
- Phantasy Star Online 2: The Play Station Vita version (2013-2020) was discontinued due to inferior technical specifications. The original PC version and other console clients remain active.
- Phantom Dust (2005-2010): Ported to the Xbox One in 2017 as a free-to-play game, with the online functionality restored.
- RuneScape Classic (2001-2018): Its two updated versions, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape 3, are still running as of 2022.
- DarkScape (2015-2016)
- ROSE Online (2005–2019): Will be relaunched by a new official team at an undetermined date.
- Sid Story (2015-2020): Relaunched in 2021 as Sid Classic.
- SINoALICE (2017-2024): The Taiwanese server ended on November 10, 2022 while the Global server followed suit on November 15, 2023. The Japanese server was the last to go on January 15, 2024 but will continue as the post-ending app "The Story That Was Once SINoALICE" for players who cleared the final chapter of its Grand Finale before then which will preserve majority of their account data for viewing purposes.
- Sword Girls (2011-2017): Relaunched in 2021 as Kana Tales.
- Team Fortress 2 on PlayStation 3 (2007-2023): As part of The Orange Box. EA, which handled the port, listed Half-Life 2 for PS3 on shutdown lists, but that game was only ported there through the compilation. The original Steam version and Xbox 360 port of TF2 remain active.
- Teen Second Life (2005-2010): Merged with the main Second Life grid in January 2011.
- The Tomorrow Children (2016-2017): Relaunched as The Tomorrow Children: Phoenix Edition in 2022.
- Uru Live: Original beta version 2003-2004, cancelled due to poor subscriptions, online-only content subsequently released as singleplayer expansion packs To D'ni and Path of the Shell, and fan servers maintained under the name Until Uru. Until Uru shut down in 2006, official GameTap release 2006-2007, cancelled again for the same reason as before. From 2010 onwards available free-to-play, donation driven, and with fan-submitted content as Myst Online: Uru Live Again (with the 'again' later dropped).
- WACCA (2019-2022): Final update allows the game to be played offline.
- Age of Empires Online (2011-2014): The game was revived by fans in 2017 in the form of Project Celeste, which was made using the game's publicly-released dev kit and re-released under a non-commercial license from Microsoft themselves. Not only does it contain all the content that was released for the game, it even includes bug fixes, game balances, and new content, including the Roman civilization that was originally being developed before the shutdown.
- America's Army (2002-2022): The patch notes for the shutdown of the game's official online services flat-out told players to move to private servers.
- And-Kensaku (2010-2012): Japanese fans of the game have created new servers that still use Google to source content such as the words and phrases used by the game.
- BattleForge (2009-2013): Survived by the Skylords Reborn project.
- Blocksworld (2013-2020): The original servers were shut down by Linden Labs in June 2020, whereas a fanmade server called the "Secondary Server" thrives on.
- City of Heroes (2004-2012): The community launched several free servers around the start of The New '20s following the 2019 Content Leak of a private server that had been running in secrecy for years. One of these servers, Homecoming, was later given an official license to operate by NCsoft.
- Club Penguin (2005-2017): The game survives in the form of numerous fanmade private servers. However, a number of them, including larger servers like Club Penguin Online and Club Penguin Rewritten, have since been shut down due to DMCA takedowns by Disney that stemmed from one of the people who ran Club Penguin Online being arrested on child pornography charges along with said server being largely unmoderated and filled with abusive and other inappropriate messages and other content.
- Crash: On the Run! (2021-2023): Custom servers were created by fans after the announcement that the game's official servers would close.
- Earth & Beyond (2002-2004): Survived by the Earth & Beyond Emulator.
- Elemental 3 (2016-2018): Taken offline in 2018 due to bugs, and the end of Adobe Flash in 2020 eliminated any hopes of the game being revived in its original form. Some fan recreations, both online and offline, remain active.
- Feral (2020-2022): Survived by the Ferever project.
- Free Realms (2009-2014): Survived by the FR Sunrise fan server.
- Heroes of Newerth (2010-2022): Survived by the Project Kongor fan server.
- LawBreakers (2017-2018): Survived by The RELB Project fan server, which was endorsed by the game's original developer Cliff Bleszinski.
- LEGO Legends of Chima Online (2013-2015): Survived by the Loco Online project.
- maimai (classic cabinets) (2012-February 2020): FiNALE version survived by the MaiTea NET server.
- Manyland (2013-2024): Shut down in February 29, 2024 due to a severe lack of budget. The link to the site now redirects to an archive. Survived by the Offlineland fan project.
- Maple Story 2 (2018-2020): Global English version shut down in 2020; original Korean version still active. Survived by the "MapleStars 2" project.
- Mario Kart Wii (2008-2014): Employing the fanmade Wiimmfi server as a replacement infrastructure for the aforementionned Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Technically, Wiimmfi can be used to play any Wii game online, but as demonstrated by its live game stats page, only Mario Kart Wii's community has truly leveraged it to maintain a healthy player base that would continue to last for over a decade.note
- Metal Gear Online: Both maintained by the SaveMGO fan project.
- Subsistence version (2005-2007)
- Guns of the Patriots version (2008-2012)
- Need for Speed: World (2010-2015): Survived by the Soapbox Race World project from 2017 onward.
- Neocron (2002-2004)
- Neocron 2 (2004-2010): Publisher Reakktor Media handed the game's server and code over to its community in 2012 so that they may continue to run it as Neocron Evolution.
- Orcs Must Die! Unchained (2017-2019): Multiplayer servers are offline. However, a game mod, OMDUSinglePlayer, can be used for a solo attempt using any character or trap loadout.
- Phantasy Star series:
- Phantasy Star Online (2000-2008): Has a number of fan servers on the Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo GameCube, and PC versions, with notable ones in 2022 including Ephinea and Schthack.
- Phantasy Star Universe (2006-2012): Has an active fan server called Clementine, although Episode 3 content is absent.
- Pirates of the Caribbean Online (2007–2013): Has the fan server The Legend of Pirates Online.
- Puchiguru! Love Live! (2018–2019): The Pokenesos fan server was launched shortly after the game's demise.
- Resident Evil: Outbreak (2003–2007, North America; 2003-2011, Japan): Survived by the Obsrv.org fan server.
- The Sims Online (2001-2009): Has the Fan Remake FreeSO, launched in 2017 and still ongoing as of 2024.
- Super Mario Bros. 35 (2020-2021): Its shutdown on March 31, 2021, was planned and announced immediately from its Day 1 launch on October 1, 2020, to fit with the time frame of the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.. The "Continued Interest" fan server has been developed in response, with the sole caveat that it requires a hacked Nintendo Switch (the game itself can be played on an emulator, but still a hacked Switch is required to dump the necessary files), which Nintendo are fiercely ban-happy against...
- S4 League (2007-2021): Survived by the Xero fan server.
- Scarlet Blade (2012-2016): A fan server is maintained by the Vendetta Gaming Network community.
- Sonic Runners (2015-2016): Survived by the Sonic Runners Revival project.
- Star Wars: Galaxies (2003–2011): The game survives in the form of several fanmade private servers.
- TERA (2011–2022): Numerous fan servers exist; as of 2022, the most popular one is Menma's TERA.
- Toontown Online (2003–2013): Numerous fan servers exist; as of 2022, the most popular ones are Toontown Rewritten (which attempts to preserve the vision of the original game) and Toontown: Corporate Clash (which greatly expands upon the original game). Unlike with Club Penguin, these have avoided the wrath of Disney's lawyers, at least for now, commonly by removing the usage of Mickey Mouse and his friends.
- Virtual Magic Kingdom (2005–2008): Fan recreations including MyVMK and VMK Legacy have been made since.
- Warhammer Online (2008–2013): Survived by the "Return of Reckoning" fan project launched in 2015, crewed by former WAR devs who continue to patch the game and release new content updates.