Amazon Delists New World Aeternum Ahead Of Shutdown

Amazon Game Studios has officially begun the final countdown for its ambitious MMORPG, New World: Aeternum. The company announced on January 15, 2026, that the game has been delisted from all online stores, making it impossible for new players to purchase the title. For those who already own it, however, there’s a bittersweet reprieve: the servers will remain online for one more year, with a definitive shutdown date set for January 31, 2027. This move marks the end of a four-year journey for a game that at one point boasted nearly a million concurrent players on Steam, only to see its fortunes wane amid shifting priorities and sweeping layoffs at Amazon.

The news was delivered in a heartfelt message from Amazon Game Studios, posted on the official New World website and echoed across gaming media. “We want to thank the players for your dedication and passion,” the studio wrote. “We are grateful for the time spent crafting the world of Aeternum with you. Together we built something special. While we are saddened to say goodbye, we’re honored that we were able to share so much with the community.” The statement continued, “It has been our pleasure to work on New World: Aeternum and evolve this unforgettable adventure with you all. We look forward to one more year together, and giving this fantastic adventure a sendoff worthy of a legendary hero. From the bottom of all our hearts, thank you for sharing this world with us.”

According to reports from IGN and other outlets, New World: Aeternum was delisted from online stores on January 15, 2026. While the Steam store page remains visible, the purchase option has been removed. Existing owners can continue to play and even reinstall the game until the servers go dark in early 2027. The Nighthaven season, which was one of the most celebrated updates in the game’s history, will continue to run uninterrupted until the very end. Players can expect world bosses and bonus weeks to persist, with Amazon promising to monitor bugs and performance, but not to introduce any new content or server merges as the game winds down.

For those still invested in the world of Aeternum, there are a few more deadlines to keep in mind. The in-game store, which allows players to purchase Marks of Fortune and other items, will be shut down on July 20, 2026. After that date, no further in-game purchases will be possible. Amazon has confirmed that refunds will not be issued for Marks of Fortune or any other in-game purchases, a point clarified in the game's official FAQ. Players who have recently bought the game and are seeking a refund are being directed to their platform holder’s customer support for assistance.

The decision to sunset New World: Aeternum comes in the wake of significant restructuring at Amazon. As reported by Bloomberg and other sources, more than 14,000 employees were laid off across various divisions in 2025, with Amazon Game Studios among the hardest hit. The majority of the team behind New World was let go in October 2025, and development on the game officially ended at that time. The studio explained that, after four years of steady content updates and a major new console release, it was no longer sustainable to continue supporting the game with new content. The final expansion, Rise of the Angry Earth, was made free for all PC players as a parting gesture.

This end-of-life plan for New World: Aeternum is emblematic of a broader shift in Amazon’s gaming strategy. The company has indicated it is moving away from major AAA projects in favor of “casual and AI-focused games,” a pivot described as “leaning into things that Amazon does best.” While this transition may make business sense for Amazon, it has left the game's passionate community feeling both nostalgic and frustrated. After all, New World was a rare hit for Amazon in the video game space, with its 2021 launch drawing a staggering 913,634 concurrent players on Steam, according to IGN. That initial surge was followed by a steady decline, but the game remained notable for its loyal fanbase and its ability to rebound with updates like Nighthaven, which earned “Most Improved MMO of 2025” and “MMO Expansion of the Year 2025” accolades from gaming publications.

As the clock ticks down, some in the industry have voiced hopes that New World might yet find a second life. Alistair McFarlane, COO of Facepunch Studios (the developers behind Rust), publicly offered Amazon $25 million to acquire the game, tweeting, “Games should never die.” His suggestion? Empower the community by making servers publicly hostable, ensuring that the game could live on in the hands of dedicated fans. Simon Collins-Laflamme, founder of Hypixel Studios, chimed in with advice on how to rescue cancelled games, referencing his own experience reviving Hytale. So far, Amazon has not responded publicly to these offers, and the company’s official messaging remains focused on providing a graceful sunset for the existing player base.

For players who have spent years exploring the supernatural wilds of Aeternum, the impending shutdown is a chance to revisit old haunts and create new memories before the world fades away. The extension of the Nighthaven season—widely praised for its Gothic theme and engaging gameplay—offers one last hurrah, with world bosses and bonus weeks continuing up until the final day. Amazon has promised to keep the servers running smoothly and to maintain a minimum of six months’ notice for any further changes, giving players ample time to say their goodbyes.

There’s a certain poignancy in watching a virtual world wind down, especially one that inspired such devotion and creativity among its community. As Amazon Game Studios put it, “Together we built something special.” While the business realities of the gaming industry can be harsh, the legacy of New World: Aeternum will endure in the memories of those who called Aeternum home—even if only for a little while longer.

With just a year left before the servers go quiet, the game’s remaining adventurers are savoring every moment, determined to give Aeternum the sendoff it deserves. And who knows? In the unpredictable world of online gaming, perhaps the story isn’t quite over yet.