Hi-Rez Studios has announced the impending shutdown of two of its live-service titles, Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout. The closure of both games is set for 17 February 2025, marking a major shift in the studio’s strategic direction. The news follows recent internal changes at the Atlanta-based developer, including layoffs and a decision to refocus its resources on fewer projects.
The announcement, made by Hi-Rez Studios CEO Stewart Chisam, comes shortly after a company-wide reorganisation aimed at streamlining operations. Chisam explained that the decision to scale down was based on a “comprehensive review” of the studio’s strategy, which would see Hi-Rez focus its efforts primarily on Smite 2, the studio’s upcoming multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title. He also confirmed that the original Smite and Paladins will continue to receive support, but other games in the studio’s portfolio, including Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout, would be discontinued.
Both titles will be taken offline on 17 February 2025 at 12pm EDT, after which they will no longer be available on digital storefronts, effectively making them inaccessible for future download or play.
Realm Royale Reforged: The End of an Era
Realm Royale Reforged was first launched in 2018, seeking to capitalise on the battle royale boom. At the time, it aimed to stand out in a crowded field dominated by giants such as Fortnite and PUBG by offering unique gameplay elements, including class-based characters and a crafting system. These features gave the game a tactical edge, allowing players to create their own weapons and abilities on the battlefield. However, despite a promising start, Realm Royale struggled to sustain a large player base.
In 2022, Hi-Rez released a major update, relaunching the game as Realm Royale Reforged, but this update failed to significantly revive player interest. The game’s player base dwindled over time, with recent statistics showing a 24-hour peak of just over 300 active users, a far cry from the numbers needed to keep a live-service game viable.
The decision to shut down Realm Royale Reforged is not entirely unexpected, given the game’s ongoing decline. Nevertheless, the announcement has been met with disappointment from its remaining fans, many of whom have taken to social media to share their frustration. Players have expressed sadness over the closure of a game that, despite its challenges, had created a niche community within the battle royale genre.
Divine Knockout: Another Casualty
Alongside Realm Royale Reforged, Hi-Rez Studios will also be sunsetting its 3D platform fighter, Divine Knockout, on the same date. Although Divine Knockout never attracted as many players as some of Hi-Rez’s other titles, it offered a unique twist on the platform fighting genre by moving the action into a three-dimensional space. This gave the game a fresh feel, distinguishing it from competitors such as Super Smash Bros. by incorporating elements of both platform fighting and arena brawling.
However, despite its novel approach, Divine Knockout struggled to gain significant traction, and its player base remained small. Recent data indicates that the game had fewer than 50 active players within a 24-hour period, further reinforcing the studio’s decision to wind down support. As with Realm Royale Reforged, the closure of Divine Knockout has sparked disappointment among its dedicated community, though the game’s niche status means its impact on the broader gaming landscape may be less pronounced.
Both games will be removed from digital storefronts following the shutdown, preventing any future downloads, which has added to the dismay of long-time players.
Hi-Rez Studios’ Future Focus
With the closure of Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout, Hi-Rez Studios will be left with a more streamlined selection of live-service titles. Currently, the developer’s portfolio includes Smite, Smite 2, Paladins, and Rogue Company. While Smite and Paladins have long been staples of Hi-Rez’s offerings, the upcoming Smite 2 appears to be the main focus of the studio moving forward.
Smite, a third-person MOBA that first launched in 2014, remains one of the studio’s most successful games, having built a dedicated following over the years. With Smite 2, Hi-Rez is expected to build upon this foundation, introducing new mechanics and improvements to both the gameplay and graphics, which could help attract new players as well as retain its established audience.
Meanwhile, Paladins, a hero shooter first released in 2016, has also maintained a steady player base and will continue to receive updates. Despite this, the game has seen some decline in recent years, as the genre faces increasing competition from larger titles such as Overwatch 2. Nonetheless, Hi-Rez appears committed to keeping the game alive for the foreseeable future.
Rogue Company’s Uncertain Fate
One title notably absent from Chisam’s update is Rogue Company, a tactical third-person shooter that launched in 2020. While the game has managed to maintain a slightly larger player base than Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout—with over 500 active players within a 24-hour period—its long-term future remains unclear. The absence of any mention of Rogue Company in Hi-Rez’s recent communications has led to speculation that the game could also be at risk of closure.
For now, Rogue Company continues to operate, but the lack of information regarding its future has left some players concerned that it could follow the same path as Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout. If Hi-Rez continues its current trend of narrowing its focus, Rogue Company may face similar challenges in securing ongoing support.
Smite 2: Hi-Rez’s Flagship Hope
The decision to focus heavily on Smite 2 is likely a key part of Hi-Rez Studios’ future strategy. The original Smite has long been one of the studio’s most successful and enduring titles, and its sequel represents an opportunity to further capitalise on that success. As a follow-up to one of the longest-running MOBAs in the industry, Smite 2 is expected to incorporate the elements that made the original popular, while introducing enough innovation to appeal to both new and returning players.
The game’s success will be critical to Hi-Rez’s ability to remain competitive in an increasingly saturated live-service market. With resources being redirected towards Smite 2, the studio is clearly betting on this title to anchor its portfolio for years to come.
The shutdown of Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout signals a major change in Hi-Rez Studios’ approach to live-service gaming. As the studio pivots to focus more heavily on fewer titles, including the highly anticipated Smite 2, it appears that maintaining a broad range of live-service games is no longer feasible in today’s competitive environment. While fans of Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout will undoubtedly be disappointed by the closures, Hi-Rez’s future success may depend on its ability to concentrate its resources and energy on fewer, more sustainable projects.
The closure of these games represents a significant shift, and it will be interesting to see how Hi-Rez’s remaining titles, particularly Smite 2, perform in the coming years. As the studio enters this new chapter, its ability to innovate and retain players will be crucial in navigating the challenges of the modern gaming industry.
