The Elder Scrolls: Blades to Shut Down After Eight Years

Bethesda has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls: Blades will permanently shut down its servers on June 30, 2024. This announcement was made via an in-game notification and on the Nintendo eShop page, where the game has already been delisted from app stores for iOS and Android. Players will be able to access all in-game store items for a single point of currency until the shutdown date.

The Elder Scrolls: Blades is shutting down on June 30A Long-Running Elder Scrolls Game Is Quietly Shutting Down

Launched in early access in 2019 and fully released in 2020, The Elder Scrolls: Blades is a mobile and Nintendo Switch spinoff set between the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Players assume the role of a former member of the Blades, engaging in dungeon crawling and town-building gameplay. Despite its initial commercial success, the game has not received significant updates in recent years, leading to a decline in active players.

A Long-Running Elder Scrolls Game Is Quietly Shutting DownElder Scrolls mobile spinoff Blades is shutting down this summer after eight years, but at least all its store items are ultra-cheap now

The impending shutdown marks the second closure of an Elder Scrolls title in a short span, following the shutdown of The Elder Scrolls: Legends in January 2024. The lack of an offline mode for Blades means that once the servers go offline, the game will be entirely unplayable. This situation has raised concerns among fans about the preservation of the game's unique story and lore, which will be lost after the shutdown.

A Long-Running Elder Scrolls Game Is Quietly Shutting Down

Critics have pointed out that the absence of an offline version for Blades is disappointing, especially given the game's eight-year run. The decision to close the game without a preservation effort has sparked discussions within the community about the future of mobile games and their longevity. While some players may take advantage of the free in-game currency offered until the shutdown, the overall sentiment reflects a sense of loss for another avenue to explore the Elder Scrolls universe.

A Long-Running Elder Scrolls Game Is Quietly Shutting Down

Bethesda's announcement expressed gratitude to players, stating, "Thank you for playing and we hope you have enjoyed your time in Blades." This sentiment underscores the company's acknowledgment of the game's community, even as it prepares to close the servers.

Elder Scrolls mobile spinoff Blades is shutting down this summer after eight years, but at least all its store items are ultra-cheap now

As fans await news about The Elder Scrolls VI, the shutdown of Blades serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by live-service games. While the game may no longer be available, its closure highlights the ongoing anticipation for future installments in the Elder Scrolls franchise. The community's response to Blades' shutdown may influence how Bethesda approaches future titles and their longevity in the gaming landscape.

A Long-Running Elder Scrolls Game Is Quietly Shutting Down