In a move that has surprised many players, Star Wars: Hunters, the free-to-play arena shooter developed by Zynga and NaturalMotion, will be shutting down on October 1, 2025—less than a year after its full launch. The game, which was released on June 4, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android, will no longer be accessible after the shutdown date.
A Short-Lived Battle
Despite carrying the massive Star Wars brand, Hunters struggled to maintain a consistent player base following its launch. While it initially attracted some attention with its diverse cast of characters, each belonging to different factions in the Star Wars universe, the game seemingly failed to gain enough traction in a highly competitive multiplayer market.
According to Zynga, in-game purchases will be disabled immediately, and refunds will not be offered for past transactions. Players will still be able to play the game until the shutdown, but support and updates will cease leading up to the closure.
Why Is Star Wars: Hunters Shutting Down?
Zynga has not provided a detailed explanation for the game’s discontinuation, but industry analysts speculate that low player retention, monetization struggles, and a lack of fresh content may have contributed to its downfall.
The game was first announced in 2021 and faced multiple delays before finally launching worldwide in mid-2024. However, its mobile-first approach, combined with a monetization system that included battle passes and microtransactions, failed to resonate with a broader audience.
Another Star Wars Casualty
Star Wars: Hunters is the latest in a long list of multiplayer-focused Star Wars games to be shut down prematurely. Similar titles such as Star Wars: Uprising (2015) and Star Wars: Force Arena (2017) also suffered early closures, despite attempts to engage players with competitive online experiences.
The game’s closure raises questions about the viability of live-service Star Wars games, especially those that rely heavily on microtransactions and a dedicated player base.
What’s Next for Players?
With Hunters heading toward its sunset, fans of Star Wars multiplayer games still have a few options, including LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Galactic Edition and the ongoing support for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Meanwhile, EA and Respawn Entertainment are working on a new Star Wars first-person shooter, though details remain scarce.
For now, Star Wars: Hunters will be remembered as another ambitious but ultimately short-lived attempt to bring the galaxy far, far away into the world of live-service gaming.
