Amazon Games has announced that development on New World will cease following the release of Season 10: Nighthaven, marking the end of new content updates for the multiplayer RPG. The decision comes as the game reaches its fourth anniversary, with developers citing unsustainable support requirements despite recent console expansion.
End of an Era for Aeternum
The Nighthaven update will serve as the final content release for New World across both PC and console platforms. While servers will remain operational through 2026, the confirmation that no additional content will follow Season 10 has generated significant disappointment among the player community. Many long-term supporters expressed frustration that the game's development cycle is concluding just four years after its initial PC launch.
To mitigate community backlash, Amazon Games has made both the Nighthaven release and the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion free for all players. However, this gesture has done little to appease players who invested substantial time and money into a game they expected would continue evolving.
Community Reaction and Concerns
Player sentiment across forums and social media platforms reflects widespread disappointment. Many community members feel abandoned after years of supporting the game through various updates and expansions. The timing is particularly problematic for players who recently purchased the game or invested in microtransactions, now facing a product with no future development roadmap.
Long-term players who weathered the game's turbulent early days and numerous balance changes expressed particular frustration. They note that the decision arrives just as New World seemed to be hitting its stride with improved systems and more consistent content delivery.
Ongoing Operations and Support
While new content development has ceased, Amazon Games confirmed that essential maintenance will continue. Bug fixes, server stability improvements, and basic operational support will persist to keep the game functional. The development team emphasized that this is not a complete sunsetting of the game, but rather a transition to maintenance mode.
Server operations are guaranteed through 2026, providing players approximately two more years to complete existing content. The game will remain available for purchase on all platforms until further notice, and PlayStation Plus members can continue accessing New World through their subscriptions.
Content and Feature Continuation
Certain recurring elements will persist despite the development halt. World bosses, bonus weeks, and select seasonal events will continue running on their established schedules. However, holiday-specific events and any new seasonal content will no longer be developed or added to the game.
The in-game economy and currency systems will remain functional. Players can continue purchasing and using Marks of Fortune and other currencies, though refunds for these microtransactions will not be available. Customer support will handle standard platform-specific refund requests for recent game purchases according to individual platform policies.
Looking Forward
Amazon Games has committed to providing at least six months notice before implementing any changes that would affect players ability to access the game. This transparency pledge aims to give the community adequate time to prepare for any future transitions.
The development team expressed gratitude to the player community for their support over the past four years. They acknowledged that the New World journey has been shaped significantly by player feedback and engagement, making the decision to halt content development particularly difficult.
As the gaming community processes this announcement, many are questioning the long-term viability of live service models when even major publishers like Amazon struggle to maintain development sustainability. The situation with New World may influence how players approach future live service game investments, particularly those from companies without extensive gaming industry track records.
