Stormgate's online functions shut down amid ai-powered server acquisition

The real-time strategy game Stormgate, which aimed to fill the StarCraft-shaped void, is losing its online multiplayer capabilities due to its server provider's acquisition by AI intelligence firm Fireworks AI.

Stormgate's fate tied to hathora's acquisition

Stormgate's developer, Frost Giant Studios, relied on Hathora, a company specializing in cloud infrastructure, for its multiplayer backbone, including massive stress tests and global servers. However, Hathora was acquired by Fireworks AI, a tech company focused on AI models for chatbots and AI-managed systems, on March 6.

This unexpected move has led to Stormgate's online multiplayer modes being shut down by the end of May, with the game's creator aiming to release an offline patch to allow single-player campaigns and modes.

The situation is complex, with Frost Giant Studios now on the hunt for a new server partner, a process that could be time-consuming and potentially leave the game in limbo. Moreover, Stormgate's player base is relatively small, with less than 100 users online in the past 24 hours, which may prompt the studio to reassess its investment in the project.

As a result, Stormgate's competitive and cooperative multiplayer features are being sacrificed, dealing a significant blow to the game's aspirations to become a spiritual successor to classic RTS titles.

In response to the news, Steam users have expressed their disappointment, with the game's overall rating dropping to