'That's how you actually end a live service' this developer just shut down a free-to-play game by releasing an offline version with no microtransactions for fans to keep playing

Date:
Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:05:38 +0000

Description:
Ironically, Let it Die is being kept alive after its live service shut down.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Free-to-play live service game Let it Die shut down earlier this week It's not the end, though, as players will still be able to play the game in a new offline state The new offline version costs just $19.99 / 16.99 / AU$28.50 and has all microtransactions removed It feels like a live service game is shutting down every few weeks, and I'm no stranger to the crushing disappointment of learning that one of your favorite games is going offline. Under the Radar Under the Radar is our way of highlighting great games that might have passed you by. Through a regular mix of news stories and features, we'll cover great experiences that we feel haven't found the audience they deserve. Read the full series here . Normally, the news means you lose access to the game for good with all your progress, achievements, and in-game items vanishing along with it. Just look at Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt , Anthem , or Hawked: three offline titles that died in the last few weeks alone and are now completely inaccessible by official means. Although the reasons for such shutdowns are often understandable, it still seems like a massive waste of resources, development time, and sometimes some genuinely good game mechanics or ideas. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

With Let it Die , however, developer Grasshopper Manufacture is defiantly bucking that trend. The free-to-play game shut down earlier this week after nine whole years on the market, but that doesn't mean it's now unplayable.

The company put in the work to create an offline version, which you can buy
on PC or PlayStation 4 for $19.99 / 16.99 / AU$28.50. You lose some of the original's offline features, but all microtransactions are removed so you can experience the full game without having to open your wallet more than once. You may like 'Everyone who bought this game should be eligible for a full refund': A digital-only Nintendo Switch game just became unplayable for those who paid for it showing exactly why gamers are rebelling against Sony's disc-free PlayStation plans The live-service elements of Horizon Hunters Gathering are reportedly being stripped out following 'poor feedback' as new details emerge about several canceled PlayStation titles Somehow this Payday
3 alternative is still getting massive free updates three years after release

You can even bring over your progress from the online game if you played it before. A positive example Let It Die - Offline Release Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games - YouTube Watch On If you're not familiar with Let it Die , it's a roguelike hack-and-slash with a challenging, almost soulslike combat loop
that has you battling your way through a massive enemy-filled tower. Get
daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Players loved its wacky writing (with iconic characters like its
skateboarding rendition of the Grim Reaper) when it first released back in 2016, but microtransactions were pretty pervasive. In short, it was designed to make you part with real money to keep reviving your characters when you died, which, given the high level of difficulty, was pretty often for most.

With these mechanics now removed, I'm already seeing long-time fans call this new release the definitive version.

"Great to see this game won't ever die due to its servers being shut down now," wrote one Steam reviewer. "Plus all the crappy monetization which held the game back a ton is gone." What to read next The Zero Parades: For Dead Spies one shot is here! This bold FPS is the Kane & Lynch 2 successor I've been waiting for since the Xbox 360 days 'We've set this company up in preparation for this moment' as PlayStation scraps discs, these companies
are ready to keep physical games alive

Others praise the decision to keep the game alive in some form: "Shutdown the servers but made sure the game was still playable afterwards. That's how you actually end a live service."

Of course, the irony of a game called Let it Die carrying on forever is not lost. "Can't say the devs don't have a sense of humor," quipped one player.

It goes to show that the end of a live-service title doesn't have to screw over gamers, and I hope other developers take note of the positive reception. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the
Follow button!



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/thats-how-you-actually-end-a-live-service-thi s-developer-just-shut-down-a-free-to-play-game-by-releasing-an-offline-version -with-no-microtransactions-for-fans-to-keep-playing


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)