Stormgate Multiplayer Facing Outage

Stormgate, a real-time strategy game inspired by StarCraft, is preparing for a planned outage of its online multiplayer modes. This disruption stems from the acquisition of Hathora, the game’s server orchestration partner, by an artificial intelligence company.

Hathora's Service Shutdown

Hathora will be winding down its services at the end of April, directly impacting Stormgate’s online functionality. Frost Giant Studios, the game’s developer, announced they are actively working on a patch to enable offline play.

Seeking a New Server Partner

While offline play will be available, restoring online multiplayer will require Frost Giant Studios to find a new server partner. The developers stated, “We hope to restore online play in a future patch, but this work will be dependent on Frost Giant finding a partner to support ongoing operations.”

Nitrado's GameFabric Offer

Controversial Decision

The decision not to migrate to Nitrado’s GameFabric, a potential alternative, has raised questions within the gaming community. Nitrado stated, “We’ve already been in direct contact with our active customers. Details on timing and migration support have been shared directly.”

Game Development Context

Stormgate, still under development, has garnered support from players interested in its progress. As noted by the Washington Post in 2023, the game was still evolving, with features like a terrain editor and co-op mode in development. Despite not yet being a massive hit, the game has attracted a dedicated following.

Frost Giant Studios' Statement

“Our game server orchestration partner, Hathora, has been purchased by an AI company, and they are winding down their service at the end of April. This will create a planned outage for Stormgate’s multiplayer modes.” Frost Giant Studios is currently assessing options to address the situation.