Mountaintop Studios has announced the closure of its tactical FPS title, Spectre Divide, just six months after launch. The decision, attributed to the game failing to meet financial expectations, marks a disappointing end for the ambitious project. This article details the CEO's statement and the reasons behind the shutdown.
Spectre Divide to Go Offline in 30 Days
The underwhelming performance of Season 1 and the console launch proved to be the final blow for Spectre Divide. In a March 13th announcement on Twitter (X), Mountaintop Studios CEO Nate Mitchell explained the difficult decision. While the game initially saw promising numbers—over 400,000 players and a peak concurrent player count of 10,000 across platforms—sustained player engagement and revenue proved insufficient to maintain the game and studio operations. Mitchell acknowledged the initial positive reception but highlighted the inability to reach the necessary success metrics for long-term viability.
Previous reports from The Verge (December 2024) indicated Mountaintop Studios' precarious financial situation, with Season 1 and the console launch presented as a last-ditch effort to save the game. Game Director Lee Horn attributed part of the failure to launch-day server issues that hampered initial momentum, despite marketing efforts. Mitchell further elaborated that the lack of significant engagement with Season 1 ultimately led to the decision to cease operations. The studio plans to take Spectre Divide offline within 30 days and will issue refunds for purchases made since the Season 1 relaunch. Further details regarding refunds will be announced soon.
$30 Million in Funding Proves Insufficient
The closure comes as a surprise given Mountaintop Studios secured $30 million in funding last year from prominent investors, including Anthos Capital, RX3 Growth Partners, A16Z GAMES, and angel investors. However, this substantial investment ultimately proved inadequate to ensure the game's and studio's success. Mitchell cited the challenging current market conditions within the gaming industry, highlighting the difficulties in securing further funding, a publisher, or acquisition. He emphasized the team's ambition to create a unique experience in a competitive market, acknowledging the inherent risks involved despite their efforts.
The shutdown adds Spectre Divide to the growing list of live-service games that have struggled to find sustained success, joining titles like Multiversus, Babylon’s Fall, and Concord, as well as cancelled projects like The Last of Us Online and a reported God of War live-service game.
Mountaintop Studios to Close This Week
With remaining capital exhausted, Mountaintop Studios will cease operations by the end of the week. Mitchell's statement underscores the financial constraints that ultimately led to this decision, despite the team's efforts to extend their resources.
