The rise of Web Games and MMOs has led to a particular form of Abandonware, as always-online games are upkeep-intensive and depend upon a consistent flow of players and profit to justify keeping the dedicated servers 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 successful enough to be worth maintaining, or the creators themselves folded, or maybe (as a Bittersweet Ending) there's a sequel that has made the original obsolete. Whatever the case, the servers will go down, and the game will no longer be sold commercially.
Sometimes, fans will create new servers to keep playing, or they will outright remake the game from the ground-up; but many 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. However, this index is for online games that are no longer officially supported by their original developers. Whether they are supported by fans or not is not important to this page's categorization.
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 it is taken offline.
It's also worth noting that this trope is a major reason why DRM is controversial in the gamer community. note
- 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)
- Age of Empires Online (2011-2014)
- ArchLord (2005-2014)
- Ascend: Hand of Kul (2013-2016)
- Asheron's Call (1999-2017)
- Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings (2002-2005)
- Asta Online (2017-2017)
- Atlas Reactor (2016-2019)
- Auto Assault (2006-2007)
- Avalon Heroes (2009-2013)
- Avalon Rematch (2014-2015)
- Avatar High (200?-201?)
- Battleborn (2016-2021)
- Battle Cats Rangers (2017-2019)
- Battle Girl High School (2015-2019)
- Battlefield Heroes (2009-2015)
- Battlefield Play4Free (2011-2015)
- Battlestar Galactica Online (2011-2016)
- Bakugan Dimensions (2010-2011)
- BeatStream (2014-2017)note
- Big Al Game (200?-201?)
- Big Fat Awesome House Party (2006-2009)
- Black Command (2018-2019)
- Build-A-Bear-Ville (2008-2015)
- Café World (2009-2014)
- Chronicles of Spellborn (2008-2010)
- City of Heroes (2004-2012)
- City of Steam: Arkadia (2014-2016)
- Club Penguin (2005-2017)
- Club Penguin Island (2017-2018)note
- Cocktail Prince (2017-2018)
- Crasher (2011-2011)
- The Culling (2017 - 2019)
- The Culling 2 (2018 - 2018)
- Daily Life With Monster Girl Online (2015-2016)
- Dankira!!! -Boys, be DANCING!- (2019-2020)
- 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)
- Dawngate (2013-2015)
- The Day Online (2018-2018)
- Dead Island: Epidemic (2014-2015)
- Dead Star (2016-2016)
- Deco Online (2008-2011)
- Devil's Third Online (2016-2017)
- Doctor Who Legacy (2013-2019)
- Doctor Who: Worlds in Time (2012-2014)
- Dragon Ball Online (2010-2013)
- Drawn to Death (2017-2019)
- DUST 514 (2013-2016)
- Earth & Beyond (2002-2004)
- Earth Eternal (2009-2011)
- Earthrise (2011-2013)
- Eliminate Pro (2009-2012)
- Emil Chronicle Online (2005-2017)
- The End (2010-2017)
- Endless Ages (2003-2007)
- Erenor (2011-2015)
- Ether Saga Odyssey (2009-2016)
- EverQuest Online Adventures (2003-2012)
- Face Of Mankind (2005-2015)
- Family Guy Online (2012-2013)
- Fight League (2017-2020)
- FIFA World (2013-2015)
- Final Fantasy XIV 1.0 (2010-2012)note
- Firefall (2014-2017)
- Free Realms (2009-2014)
- Front Mission: Online (2005-2008)
- FusionFall (2008-2013)
- Game of Thrones: Ascent (2013-2019)
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - First Assault Online (2015-2017)
- Gigantic (2017-2018)
- Glitch (2011-2012)
- Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising (2011-2012)
- Godzilla Kaiju Collection (2015-2016)
- Grand Chase (2003-2015)note
- Grandia Online (2009-2012)
- Grimms Notes (2016-2020)
- Gwisal-ui Geom (the infamous Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba mockbuster game) (2020-2020)
- Here Be Monsters (2012-2015)
- Hero: 108 Online (2010-2013)
- The Hook Up (200?-200?)
- Hoshinari Echoes (2019-2020)
- Impressive Title (2008-2010)note
- Infinite Crisis (2015-2015)
- Innerstar University (2010-2015)
- Invokers Tournament (2015-2019)
- InWorldz (2010-2018)
- Kaneva (2004-2016)
- Kingdom Hearts χ (2013-2016)
- Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ/Kingdom Hearts Union χ (2015-2021)
- Knights of the Crystals (2010-2012)
- Kung Fu Panda World (2010-2012)
- Land of Chaos Online (2010-2012)
- Landmark (2016-2017)
- LawBreakers (2017-2018)
- Legends of Future Past (1992-2000)
- Legends of Norrath (2007-2016)
- Legends of Zork (2009-2011)
- Lego Minifigures Online (2015-2016)
- LEGO Universe (2010-2012)
- LittleBigPlanet Karting (2012-2018)
- Link Realms (2016-2018)
- Loadout (2014-2018)
- Lord of Ultima (2010-2014)
- Lost Reavers (2015-2019)
- MAG (2010-2014)
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (2019-2020; international only)
- Magicka: Wizard Wars (2014-2016)
- Maple Story 2 (2018-2020; international only)
- Marvel Avengers Academy (2016-2019)
- Marvel: Avengers Alliance (2012-2016)
- Marvel Heroes (2012-2017)
- The Matrix Online (2004-2009)
- Millsberry (2004-2010)
- The Mighty Quest For Epic Loot (2013-2016)note
- Miitomo (2016-2018)
- Million Arthur (2014-2020)
- Mirage: Arcane Warfare (2017-2018)
- Metal Gear Online (Subsistence version) (2005-2007)
- Metal Gear Online (Guns of the Patriots version) (2008-2012)
- Moirai (2014-2016)
- Monkey Quest (2011-2014)
- 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)
- Need for Speed: World (2010-2015)
- Neocron (2002-2004)
- Neocron 2 (2004-2010)
- Neverwinter Nights (AOL) (1991-1997)
- Nickelodeon Clickamajigs (199?-2018)
- Nicktropolis (2007-2010)
- Nosgoth (2015-2016)
- On Air (2018-2020)
- Onverse (2009-2018)
- Outernauts (2012-2016)
- Outer Worlds (????-2014) (Not to be confused with Outer Wilds or The Outer Worlds)
- O2Jam PC (2002-around 2013)
- O2Jam Analog (2010-2013)
- O2Jam U (2012-2019)
- Pac-Man Monsters (2014-2015)
- Pangya (2004-2016)
- Paragon (2016-2018)
- Pet Pet Park (2008-2014)
- Pet Society (2008-2013)
- Phantasy Star Online (2000-2008)
- Phantasy Star Universe (2006-2012)note
- Phoenix Chronicles Online (2007-2010)
- Pirates of the Caribbean Online (2007-2013)
- Pixie Hollow (200?-2013)
- PlanetSide (2003-2016)note
- Planet Mion (2006-2012)
- PlayStation Home (2008-2015)
- Pop Stage (2007-2012)
- Pokémon Brick Bronze (2016-2018)
- poupéegirl (2007-2015)
- Project NOAH (2019-2020)
- Project Spark (2014-2016)
- Project of Planets Online (2009-2011)
- Puchiguru! Love Live! (2018-2019)
- Puzzle Fighter (2017 mobile game) (2017-2018)
- Radical Heights (2018-2018)
- Ravenwood Fair (2010-2013)
- Realms of Kaos (1996-2013)
- Remnants of Skystone (2008-2014)
- Resident Evil: Outbreak (2003-2007)
- Ridge Racer Driftopia (2013-2014)
- Rise of Immortals (2012-2013)
- ROSE Online (2005-2019)
- RuneScape Classic (2001-2018)note
- DarkScape (2015-2016)
- Rusty Hearts (2011-2014)
- R2Beat (2006-2014, Korea; 2006-2009, Japan; 2006-2019, China)
- Saint Seiya Online (2013-2020)note
- Scarlet Blade (2012-2016)
- SD Gundam Capsule Fighter (2007-2015)
- SEED (2006-2006)
- Sega Heroes (2018-2020)
- Seven Dwarfs: The Queen's Return (2013-2014)
- Sins of a Dark Age (2015-2015)
- Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE (2007-2016)
- The Sims Online (2001-2009)
- Sonic Runners (2015-2016)
- Sora no Kiseki: Kizuna (2018-2018; non-Japanese servers only)
- Soulcalibur: Lost Swords (2014-2015)
- StarBlood Arena (2017-2019)
- Stargate Resistance (2010-2011)
- Star Ocean: Anamnesis (2018-2019; international only)
- StarQuest Online (2007-2014)
- Star Wars: Galaxies (2003-2011)
- Star Wars: Uprising (2015-2016)
- Super Hero Squad Online (2011-2017)
- Super Mario Maker (2015-2021)note
- Super Monday Night Combat (2012-2018)
- Super Robot Wars X-Ω (2015-2021)
- Sword Girls (2011-2017)
- Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain (2004-2008)
- Tabula Rasa (2009-2010)
- Tales of Phantasia mobile (2014-2014; international only)
- Tekken Revolution (2013-2017)
- The Tomorrow Children (2016-2017)
- Tom Clancy universe:
- EndWar Online (2015-2016)
- Ghost Recon Phantoms (2012-2016)
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (2015-2017)
- Toontown Online (2003-2013)
- Transformers Universe (2014-2015)
- Trickster Online (2003-2013)
- Twisted Metal: Black Online (2002-2008)
- Universal Century Gundam Online (2005-2007)
- Universal Monsters Online (2012-2013)
- Vanguard: Saga of Heroes (2007-2014)
- Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom (2005-2008)
- War of Legends (2010-2015)
- War Of The Roses (2012-2017)
- War of the Vikings (2014-2017)
- Warhammer Online (2008-2013)
- Whirled (2008-2017)
- WildStar (2015-2019)
- The Wild Thornberrys: Australia Wildlife Rescue (20??-201?)
- Wizardry Online (2013-2014)
- WonderKing (2010-2011 NA; 2007-2014 globally)
- Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars (2019-2020)
- Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble (2016-2018; international only)
- Yumeiro Cast (2015-2019)
