After 17 years online, theHunter: Classic is officially reaching the end of its journey. Developer Expansive Worlds has confirmed that the long-running free-to-play hunting simulator will permanently shut down later this year, bringing one of gaming’s oldest online hunting experiences to a close.
The announcement has disappointed many longtime players who have spent years building their hunting lodges, collecting rare trophies, and investing in premium content.
Servers Will Go Offline This November
Expansive Worlds has announced that theHunter: Classic will permanently shut down on November 11, 2026.
Players can continue enjoying the game until that date, and any remaining premium currency can still be spent before the servers are switched off. Once the shutdown takes place, the game will no longer be playable.
The shutdown means:
- All game servers will permanently go offline.
- Player progression and accounts will become inaccessible.
- Online features will cease to exist.
- Existing installations of the game will no longer function.
Before saying goodbye, the developers will host one final Halloween event, beginning on October 28, giving the community one last opportunity to hunt together before the servers close forever.
Why Is the Game Being Shut Down?
According to Expansive Worlds, the decision came down to the game’s declining player base. After supporting the title for nearly two decades, the studio says it is no longer financially viable to continue maintaining the servers and infrastructure required to keep the game online.
While updates have become less frequent over the years, many players still expected the game to remain available for those who continued playing. Instead, the title will disappear entirely once the servers are switched off.
Players Are Calling for Preservation
The shutdown has reignited the ongoing discussion surrounding video game preservation.
Many fans have expressed disappointment that theHunter: Classic will not receive an offline mode or another way to preserve access after the servers close. Some community members have even started petitions asking Expansive Worlds to reconsider or release a version that can be played without relying on official servers.
For many veterans, the closure is about more than losing access to a game. It marks the end of a community that has existed since 2009 and introduced countless players to the franchise.
The Legacy Lives On
Released in 2009, theHunter: Classic became one of the earliest online hunting simulators to build a dedicated global audience. Its success eventually paved the way for theHunter: Call of the Wild, which remains the franchise’s primary focus and continues to receive updates today.
As the final months count down, players have one last chance to revisit their favorite reserves, complete unfinished hunts, and participate in the game’s farewell Halloween event before the servers close permanently on November 11.
