Dauntless is shut down after changes and cuts at Phoenix Labs

After five years of activity, Dauntless comes to an end this Wednesday, May 29, being permanently deactivated at 11:45 PM (PST). The free-to-play monster hunting game, officially launched in 2019, will no longer be available on any platform, with no option for offline version or future relaunch.

Developed by Phoenix Labs, Dauntless was one of the first titles in its category to adopt cross-play and cross-progression between PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, aiming to offer an experience similar to the Monster Hunter franchise, but with more accessible and beginner-friendly mechanics. The game spent just over a year in early access before its full release, initially being exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC.

In 2023, Phoenix Labs was discreetly acquired by the blockchain company Forte Labs, a move that marked the beginning of a series of internal restructurings. At the time, about 9% of the employees were laid off. The situation worsened throughout 2024, with new layoffs and the cancellation of another project, culminating in the dismissal of most of the team shortly before the announcement of the closure of Dauntless.

The game arrived on Steam at the end of 2024, in an attempt to revitalize the player base. However, the reception was mostly negative. The Dauntless: Awakening update, released simultaneously, was criticized for turning the game into a "monetization park" due to the aggressive introduction of microtransactions. The title began to accumulate "negative" reviews on Steam, although it maintained an average of 4.5 stars on the Epic Games Store, where it was available for a longer period of time.

“The game will no longer be available to play,” stated Phoenix Labs in an official statement, reinforcing that the shutdown will be complete and irreversible.

With the end of Dauntless, an attempt to keep alive a cooperative online gaming model also comes to an end. Despite good ideas and a loyal community, it did not withstand the financial and strategic pressure imposed by its new management. The decision to close comes at a time of growing instability in the games as a service industry, especially among titles that rely on constant updates and microtransactions.

Despite recent criticisms, many veteran players used the last days of operation to leave farewell messages and positive memories on digital platforms. For them, the legacy of Dauntless goes beyond its flaws, representing an era of experimentation and opening up the multiplayer market to less experienced audiences.