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. Whether they are supported by fans or not is unimportant.
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)
- Avatar High (200?-201?)
- Battleborn (2016-2021)
- Battlefield Heroes (2009-2015)
- Battlefield Play4Free (2011-2015)
- Battlestar Galactica Online (2011-2016)
- Bakugan Dimensions (2010-2011)
- Big Al Game (200?-201?)
- Big Fat Awesome House Party (2006-2009)
- 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)
- Crasher (2011-2011)
- Counter-Strike 1.6 (2003-2017)
- The Culling (2017 - 2019)
- The Culling 2 (2018 - 2018)
- Daily Life With Monster Girl Online (2015-2016)
- Darkfall (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: Worlds in Time (2012-2014)
- Dragon Ball Online (2010-2013)
- Drawn To Death (2017-2019)
- DUST 514 (2013-2016)
- Earth And Beyond (2002-2004)
- Earth Eternal (2009-2011)
- Earthrise (2011-2013)
- 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)
- FIFA World (2013-2015)
- Final Fantasy XIV (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)
- Grand Chase (2003-2015)
- Grandia Online (2009-2012)
- Here Be Monsters (2012-2015)
- Hero: 108 Online (2010-2013)
- The Hook Up (200?-200?)
- Infinite Crisis (2015-2015)
- Innerstar University (2010-2015)
- Invokers Tournament (2015-2019)
- Kung Fu Panda World (2010-201?)
- 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)
- Magicka: Wizard Wars (2014-2016)
- Marvel Avengers Academy (2016-2019)
- Marvel Heroes (2012-2017)
- The Matrix Online (2004-2009)
- Millsberry (2004-2010)
- The Mighty Quest For Epic Loot (2013-2016)note
- Miitomo (2016-2018)
- Mirage: Arcane Warfare (2017-2018)
- Metal Gear Online (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)
- 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)
- Onverse (2009-2018)
- Outernauts (2012-2016)
- 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)
- Phoenix Chronicles Online (2007-2010)
- Pirates of the Caribbean Online (2007-2013)
- Pixie Hollow (200?-2013)
- PlanetSide 1 (2003-2016)
- Planet Mion (2006-2012)
- PlayStation Home (2008-2015)
- poupéegirl (2007-2015)
- Project Spark (2014-2016)
- Project of Planets Online (2009-2011)
- Puzzle Fighter (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) (still has unofficial servers)
- RuneScape Classic (2001-2018)
- DarkScape (2015-2016)
- Rusty Hearts (2011-2014)
- Scarlet Blade (2012-2016)
- SD Gundam Capsule Fighter (2007-2015)
- SEED (2006-2006)
- Sins of a Dark Age (2015-2015)
- Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE (2007-2016)
- The Sims Online (2001-2009)
- Sonic Runners (2015-2016)
- Soulcalibur: Lost Swords (2014-2015)
- StarBlood Arena (2017-2019)
- Stargate Resistance (2010-2011)
- StarQuest Online (2007-2014)
- Star Wars: Galaxies (2003-2011)
- Super Hero Squad Online (2011-2017)
- Super Monday Night Combat (2012-2018)
- Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain (2004-2008)
- Tabula Rasa (2009-2010)
- 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: Age of Reckoning (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: Wibble Wobble (2016-2018; international only)
