Online-Only Games and Server Shutdowns: How to Judge the Risk Before You Buy
When you buy most games, you can play them for as long as your hardware lasts. But some games need a connection to the publisher's servers to work at all, and when those servers switch off, the game can stop working, even if you paid full price. This guide shows how to spot an online-dependent game and decide whether the risk is worth it.
Quick answer
- Check whether the game has an offline mode. If it doesn't, its lifespan depends on the publisher keeping servers running.
- Online multiplayer games will eventually lose their servers or players. Buy them for what you'll get out of them in the next couple of years, not forever.
- Single-player games that require a connection carry the biggest surprise risk. Look for that before buying.
- A physical disc doesn't protect you if the game itself needs servers to run.
- For most people: fine to buy a live online game you'll play now with friends; think hard before paying full price for an online-only game you might come back to years later.
Shutdowns aren't hypothetical. Ubisoft's original racing game The Crew, for example, became unplayable for owners after its online services ended, because it had no offline mode. That case helped spark a consumer campaign called "Stop Killing Games", which pushes for games to stay playable after official support ends. You don't need to follow the politics to protect yourself, though. You just need to ask a few questions before buying.
The three kinds of "online" game
"Online" covers very different situations, and the risk is completely different for each:
| Type | What it means | What happens when servers close | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offline game with optional online features | The main game runs without a connection. Leaderboards or co-op are extras. | You lose the extras. The game still works. | Low |
| Multiplayer-focused game | The point of the game is playing with or against others online. | The game becomes empty or unplayable, unless it supports private or community-run servers. | Expected, and you're buying the time it lasts |
| Always-online game with single-player content | You can play alone, but the game needs a server connection to run. | The single-player content can disappear too, unless the publisher patches in an offline mode. | Highest, and often a surprise |
That third row is the one to watch for. Players expect a multiplayer shooter to eventually wind down. Fewer expect to lose a campaign they played alone.
How to tell if a game needs to be online
Store pages don't always make this obvious, but the information is usually there if you know where to look:
- Read the store page's requirements and notices. Look for phrases like "internet connection required", "online play required" or "persistent internet connection". Console boxes often print a similar notice on the back.
- Check the system requirements on PC stores. A note that the game needs a constant connection is common there. See how to read system requirements.
- Search "[game name] offline mode". Player communities quickly document whether a game works offline and what you lose.
- Look at the business model. Free-to-play games, season passes and in-game stores are signs of a live-service design that depends on servers.
- Check whether a physical copy is complete. Some discs or cartridges hold only part of the game or a download key, and need online access to install. See physical vs. digital.
Warning signs a game's servers may not last
Nobody can predict exactly when a publisher will shut servers down, and well-loved games sometimes run for many years. But these signals suggest a shorter life:
- Falling player counts. On PC, public trackers show concurrent players over time. A steady decline is a warning, especially for multiplayer games where matchmaking needs a crowd.
- Long silence from the developer. No patches, no roadmap, no news. Our buy-it-now-or-wait guide explains how to read these signals.
- The game is being heavily discounted soon after launch while the publisher is talking about "restructuring".
- A sequel has launched and the community has moved on. Older entries in yearly sports series are a common example.
- Licensed content (real cars, music, sports leagues) can lead to a game being delisted when licenses expire, separate from servers.
The flip side: games that support community or private servers, or that have already received an offline patch, are much safer long-term buys. If a game's community can host its own servers, it can outlive official support.
How to price the risk
The question isn't "will this game shut down?" Eventually, most online games will. It's "will I get my money's worth before it does?" A simple way to think about it:
| Your situation | Reasonable approach |
|---|---|
| Your friends are all playing it right now | Buy it. The value is in playing together now, and that window is the point. |
| You want to try a new live-service game that might not catch on | Wait for player numbers to settle, try a free weekend or trial, or wait for a discount. |
| You collect games to replay years from now | Prefer games with full offline modes, or editions that are complete on the disc. |
| It's mainly single-player but requires a connection | Pay less. Treat it like a rental, or wait to see if an offline mode is promised. |
| Gifting it to someone | Prefer a game with a solid offline mode unless they've asked for that specific online game. |
If you like thinking in numbers, a cost-per-hour estimate pairs well with this, and our "will I actually play this?" self-check keeps the hours honest. An online game that gives you dozens of hours with friends over a year can be excellent value even if it eventually shuts down.
Don't overspend on extras
Deluxe editions, season passes and in-game currency only exist as long as the game does. For an online-dependent game:
- Buy the standard edition unless you're sure you'll play for a long time. See are deluxe editions and season passes worth it?
- Don't stockpile in-game currency. Buy what you need, when you need it. Leftover currency usually has no value if the game closes.
- Be cautious with expensive cosmetics. They're fun, but they disappear with the servers.
Protecting what you already own
If you already own online games you care about:
- Follow the publisher's official announcements so you're not surprised. Shutdowns are usually announced in advance, which gives you a last chance to play.
- Keep games installed and updated if an offline patch is released before shutdown.
- Check refund options if a game shuts down soon after you bought it. Policies vary by store and publisher, so read the store's current terms.
- Keep physical copies of offline-capable games if long-term access matters to you. They don't depend on a store staying open. Storefront closures are a separate risk; see protecting purchases before a store shuts down.
Storage matters too: keeping offline-capable games installed (and backed up where the platform allows) is easier with room to spare.
FAQ
What happens to a game when its servers shut down?
It depends on the game. Offline games with optional online features keep working without the extras. Multiplayer games usually become unplayable unless they support community servers. Always-online games can stop working entirely, including single-player content, unless the publisher adds an offline mode.
Does owning a physical copy protect me from server shutdowns?
Not if the game itself needs servers to run. A disc only helps if the full game is on it and it can be played offline.
How can I tell if a game requires an internet connection?
Check the store page and box for notices like 'internet connection required', read PC system requirements, and search the game's name with 'offline mode' to see what players report.
Can I get a refund if a game shuts down?
Sometimes, but policies vary by store and publisher and change over time. Check the store's current refund terms, and keep an eye on official announcements.
Are live-service games a bad purchase?
Not necessarily. If you'll get a lot of play out of one now, especially with friends, it can be great value. Just don't pay a premium expecting it to last forever.
The bottom line
Online games aren't a bad buy, they're a different kind of buy. Know which type you're looking at, read the store page for connection requirements, check the health signals, and adjust how much you're willing to spend. Buy online games for the fun you'll have in the near future, and save the "forever" money for games that will still run when the servers are long gone.