Bandai Namco will shut down Mobile Suit Gundam Online on March 30, 2022, at 22:00 JST (8 AM ET). Despite having a long run of around nine years, the free-to-play online game will soon come to an end.
Mobile Suit Gundam Online is an online third-person shooting action game. It supports massive multiplayer battles with up to 104 players — 52 on each side. The game dedicates one slot on each side to a Commander who does not pilot a Mobile Suit, but focuses on strategy and giving orders to other players instead.
The game launched for PC exclusively in Japan on December 25, 2012. The initial roster only featured Universal Century titles, with the units split between Earth Federation and Zeon. When Bandai Namco later added titles from alternate universes, it renamed the factions into Order and Rebellion, respectively.
Bandai Namco cited a change in environments surrounding the game’s service as a reason for ending the long-running game. While Gundam Online will mark its ninth anniversary on Christmas this year with a somber note, the company will continue to update the game until its final month.
New unit additions to Gundam Online will conclude with the last three gacha batches. DX Gashacon ACE will add Infinite Justice Gundam and Destiny Gundam on December 15, 2021. Vol.99 will then come with Strike Freedom Gundam and 00 Raiser on December 22, 2021. The final DX Gashacon Vol.100 will appear in January 2022, although Bandai Namco has yet to reveal the two new Mobile Suits included with it.
Mobile Suit Gundam Online is available on PCs in Japan until its shut down on March 30, 2022. In the meantime, Bandai Namco is currently developing Gundam Evolution, a first-person shooter intended for the esports audience on PC in 2022.
