The Rise and Fall of New World
When New World launched in 2021, it represented Amazon’s most serious attempt to compete in the MMO space. The studio promised large-scale PvP warfare, player-run economies, and a living, evolving world filled with crafting and conquest. For a time, it delivered on that promise. Millions of players logged in during launch week, and servers overflowed with hopeful adventurers.
The game’s initial success, however, quickly met technical issues and balance problems. Still, Amazon pushed through, refining systems, adding content, and eventually releasing New World: Rise of the Angry Earth, its final major expansion. A 2024 console release gave the game a second life, expanding its reach beyond PC players.
By late 2025, though, it became clear that the MMO’s golden era had passed. Developers announced that Season 10 and the Nighthaven update would be the last new content for the game. In New World’s farewell message, the team admitted that it was “no longer sustainable to continue supporting the game with new content updates.”
As a farewell gesture, Amazon made all existing expansions free for everyone. Servers will remain active until 2026, but no further development is planned. It’s a bittersweet ending for what was once seen as a flagship project meant to put Amazon Games on the map.
Layoffs and the Strategic Pivot
The shutdown of New World isn’t an isolated event—it’s part of a much larger shift within Amazon. The company’s Irvine studio, which led New World’s development, was heavily impacted by layoffs. Other unannounced projects were also canceled or frozen. In addition, creators in the Amazon Game Studio’s Creators Program also received an email letting them know that Amazon is also scaling back on their Creator Program.
Dear Amazon Game Studios Creator,
We want to inform you about an important change to our Creator Program. Effective today, the current Creator Program as you know it is winding down. We value your participation and contributions you’ve made to our communities across New World, Lost Ark, Throne and Liberty, and King of Meat. While this program is concluding, we are exploring exciting possibilities, so please be sure to sign up for Amazon Games iD to stay connected and be among the first to know about any updates or new opportunities.
Through Amazon Games iD, you’ll have access to:
• Future creator opportunities
• Game updates and news across all Amazon Game Studios titles
• Information about Twitch drops and special creator events
• Community announcements
To ensure you don’t miss any communication:
1. Create or sign into your Amazon Games ID here:
2. Update your preferences and check the box to opt-into email communication
We appreciate your understanding and continued support of Amazon Game Studios. If you have any questions, please contact: creatorprogram@amazon.com.
Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. The originating e-mail account is not monitored.
Data & Privacy: All information associated with the Creator Program will be permanently and securely deleted by November 30, 2025, except where limited retention is required for legal or regulatory purposes. We take your privacy seriously and handle all data deletions according to Amazon’s data protection standards. You can learn more about our privacy practices here.
Thank you for being part of our creator community!