Space Ape has closed Rival Kingdoms, saying it had been “a privilege” to have directed the Rhianna Pratchett-penned real-time strategy game for nearly a decade.
The developer said it had no plans to sell or transfer the mobile game to another company, revive it, develop a sequel, or allow players to play the game on private servers.
While the developer did not reveal why it decided to shut down the game, a statement posted on its website said: “All games have a life cycle and Rival Kingdoms is no exception.”
“It has been a privilege to lead Rival Kingdoms for the past eight years and witness the growth of the game and its incredible community,” the statement begins.
“Countless hours of passion and dedication have been poured into the wonderful world of Estara, not just by the game teams, but by each and every one of you.
Together, we have not only faced The Ruin, but we have also created lasting friendships, raised money for some incredible charities, and created a virtual world we can all be proud of. We are forever grateful for your years of support and commitment to Rival Kingdoms.”
Marketing director Bryan Cindell celebrated the game's closure with a heartfelt LinkedIn post, thanking the “amazing team and vibrant community that brought this game to life.”