Wargaming Group Limited, the studio behind major hits like World of Tanks, shocked the gaming community with the announcement that its latest venture, Steel Hunters, will shut down on October 8, 2025. 
Just a little over three months after its April 2025 early access launch, Steel Hunters is officially joining the unfortunate list of free-to-play titles that couldn’t survive long enough to celebrate their first anniversary.
In an official statement posted on the game’s Steam page, Wargaming expressed their disappointment in having to make this decision. “Today we share difficult news,” the studio wrote. “We’ve made the decision to sunset Steel Hunters. You’ve given us so much passion and support but unfortunately we’ve come to the conclusion that continuing development is not sustainable. We know this isn’t the news anyone wanted to hear and we genuinely share in your disappointment.”
Steel Hunters, a mech-themed free-to-play hero shooter, had big ambitions from the start. Announced during The Game Awards 2024, CEO Victor Kislyi called the game a pivotal moment for Wargaming. “With Steel Hunters, we’re pushing past our boundaries and bringing something completely new. Our ambition is to create one of the most exhilarating and compelling mech experiences ever.”
Despite the strong initial push, Steel Hunters failed to gain enough traction. It didn’t even survive to reach its first full year, with its official shutdown scheduled for October 2025-before it could even make it out of early access. However, Wargaming is unlocking all available content for players to enjoy, including Hunters previously planned for future updates. The studio is also introducing support for custom matches, allowing players to host private community games with friends in the remaining months.
In a final act of goodwill, Wargaming announced a farewell tournament, with further details to be shared on the game’s official Discord server. “We are immensely grateful for your time, feedback, memes, and countless memorable battles we’ve shared,” Wargaming concluded. “From the very first days of Alpha, you’ve shaped Steel Hunters with your energy, creativity, and dedication, and we’re honored to have had you on this journey. We couldn’t have wished for a better community, and we’ll miss you all dearly. Thank you, Hunters, for everything.”