It looks like 2K is just about done with Evolve, for they have announced that the game’s dedicated servers and online store will officially shut down on September 3, 2018. 2K implores all players who still have in-game currency to spend it by that date. The shutdown wont happen all at once, however, because on July 2, most of the online store will become inaccessible, and players won’t be able to buy things such as currency bundles and other items. Once September 3 arrives, both the servers and the store will be gone.
Even though the servers are being shut down, 2K says that game will still be playable via peer to peer connection. For those who are playing on consoles, it is assumed that you can still play online with players who utilize their own servers. As for those who play on PC you’ll have to access the game in a roundabout way. If you own a retail copy then you can utilize Steam’s options and play it through what is known as Legacy Evolve, an online version of the game while it was in beta testing. In peer to peer online play, players can still access quick matches, custom games, and single player games as well as all of the party aspects. However, things such as Ranked Hunt, profile information, online leaderboards, and anything else used by the online servers will not be available. 2K has stated that anyone who has paid for content throughout its entire run can access it through Legacy Evolve.
Evolve was supposed to be a promising successor to Left 4 Dead. Turtle Rock Studios and 2K were hoping it would take the gaming world by storm when it released in 2015. However, shortly after the player count dropped rapidly, the studio attempted to revive it with a free-to-play model in 2016. But the transition failed as players criticized the the progressions system and the large amount of DLC that came after its release. Just a few months later, Turtle Rock Studios dropped full support of the game and handed the reins over to their distributor, 2K. It’s a sad end to what could’ve been. Now the publisher is ready to move on with new endeavors.
Evolves’ servers and online store will officially shut down on September 3, 2018.