Sad news for Dauntless fans: the servers will be shutting down, and the game will no longer be playable as of May 29, 2025. Developer Phoenix Labs announced the Dauntless server closure today.
Official Statement from Phoenix Labs on Dauntless Server Closure
In a message shared on the official Dauntless Discord, the studio wrote:
“Dear Slayers,
With heavy hearts, we want to share that Dauntless will be shutting down on May 30, 2025, at 2:45 AM. This was not an easy decision, and we want to express our gratitude to our players, partners, and the talented developers who brought Dauntless to life.”“To our community, your passion, creativity, and dedication made Dauntless more than just a game"”it became a shared world and a place where friendships were forged. We know there were times we didn't get it right, but we always strived to give you the best experience we could. We are thankful for your feedback, patience, and support over the years. Thank you for being part of this adventure.”
Impact of the Awakening Update
Back in December, the massive Awakening update overhauled core systems and reset legacy players to the beginning, causing frustration among longtime fans. This update resulted in lost progress in Slayer's Path nodes and years of weapon investment. Additionally, aggressive microtransactions allowed players to repurchase their hard-earned in-game equipment for real money, sparking further backlash.
Despite efforts to address concerns, Dauntless never fully recovered from the controversy. You can read the Dauntless Team’s response to the feedback here: [Reflections on the Launch and What Comes Next].
Phoenix Labs Layoffs and the Game's Decline
In 2023 there was turmoil over Canadian developer Pheonix Labs being acquired by blockchain firm Forte Labs. Game Developer reported that former Phoenix Labs employees told them the then “new parent company instituted a culture of strict secrecy, cutting off communication between teams and going so far as to seemingly conceal its ownership of the developer from prospective employees.”
Last month, Phoenix Labs laid off a majority of its staff following the unsuccessful Awakening launch. The game's declining player base and financial struggles likely contributed to the decision to shut down the servers permanently.
Completionist Warning: Unobtainable Achievement
For achievement hunters, an achievement tied to Gauntlet mode is already unobtainable on Xbox. If you're starting fresh, expect a full completion to take around 350-450 hours.
A Farewell to Dauntless
Personally, I'm really sad to see Dauntless go. The game was an absolute hit when it launched on the Epic Games store back in 2019. I've spent countless hours with my Slayer going for the full completion, and it's always tough to lose a game entirely from the ecosystem. This marks the end of an era for many fans who made lasting memories in the Shattered Isles. What does the Dauntless server closure mean to you?