The shutting down of a game always means a lot of changes, including shifts in the company and layoffs. Sadly, this is happening to The Witcher: Monster Slayer, which will be closing its digital doors in 2023. Despite the popularity and support that The Witcher IP possesses, it was unfortunately not strong enough to keep this mobile game afloat. Although CD Projekt Red has plenty of projects planned for the future, this shutdown will no doubt be a notable loss for the team.
The Witcher: Monster Slayer Shutdown
As gaming continues to evolve, AR remains one of the more experimental fields. The Witcher: Monster Slayer tried to use it effectively, having launched in 2021. Even though the game had a number of positive responses, it wasn’t profitable enough to prevent it from shutting down. According to the official Witcher website, the game will officially become inactive on June 30, 2023.
The game had a lot of work to make it both functional and HD, but this made it difficult to run. Only the most powerful phones were able to support the game which would quickly drain its battery while active. Still, it does have its charms. Any players still looking to try it out will have the chance to do so until January 31 of next year.
The Witcher franchise has a lot of mythological lore, but the centerpiece has always been monster hunting. The Witcher: Monster Slayer was dedicated almost entirely towards that with an AR spin. Players take on the role of custom-character monster hunters living in the Witcher universe. Like Pokemon GO, the game read the player’s mapping app to generate a game world that they could explore. As they did, they would encounter monsters that could be seen on the map and fought as long as they were in range. Combat took on a first-person perspective and challenged players to be tough and smart.
Making an AR game is no easy feat, and making one with longevity is even harder. Lasting little more than a year, The Witcher: Monster Slayer didn’t last as long as the team would have hoped. Thankfully, the series’ future — and indeed even its past — is still looking bright.
