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Steel Hunters: What It Was and Why It Is No Longer Playable

Wargaming’s free-to-play mech shooter Steel Hunters entered Early Access in April 2025, but development ended in July and its servers shut down that October.
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Steel Hunters was a free-to-play PC mech shooter from Wargaming, the company behind World of Tanks and World of Warships—but its online servers permanently shut down on October 8, 2025, so it can no longer be played. Announced in December 2024 as a new original IP, it entered Early Access on April 2, 2025, and Wargaming ended development three months later.

What kind of game was Steel Hunters?

Wargaming described Steel Hunters as a mech hero shooter combining battle royale and extraction elements. Players piloted large mechanical characters called Hunters, completed objectives to gain levels and gear, and fought toward a final showdown at an extraction point. The announced design included player-versus-player and player-versus-environment encounters, Hunter-specific abilities, build customization, destructible environments, and cooperative duo play. These were Wargaming’s descriptions of the intended game, not independent assessments of how it played.

The premise placed the action on a future Earth damaged by a catastrophe. Rival factions and corporations fought over Starfall, a scarce extraterrestrial resource, using Hunters as combat machines. Wargaming presented tactical cooperation as central: players were expected to learn each Hunter’s abilities and cooldowns, coordinate synergies, and use flanks and ambushes.

Hunters and maps announced for Early Access

Wargaming named seven Hunters: Razorside, Heartbreaker, Fenris, Ursus, Trenchwalker, Prophet, and Weaver. Its Early Access launch announcement listed three maps: Crimson Ridge, Maryland Heights, and Stonecutter Keep.

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Can you still play Steel Hunters?

No. Steel Hunters was an online game, and its servers permanently closed on October 8, 2025, at 12:00 UTC. The shutdown ended access to the game; it is not currently playable through Steam or Wargaming Game Center.

What happened to Steel Hunters?

Wargaming announced on July 8, 2025 that it would sunset the game, saying continued development was not sustainable. At the time, it projected that servers would stay online for about 90 days. A September 26 notice then specified the final shutdown time: October 8, 2025, at 12:00 UTC. The closure notice appeared as a Steam-hosted announcement for the game; the shutdown date and time are stated there.

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Steel Hunters release and shutdown timeline

Date What happened
December 12, 2024 Wargaming announced Steel Hunters as a new original IP and invited PC players to a limited closed playtest. The announced PC channels were Steam and Wargaming Game Center.
March 11, 2025 Wargaming announced April 2 as the Early Access launch date.
April 2, 2025 Early Access began as a free-to-play PC game through Steam and Wargaming Game Center. Wargaming described duo PvPvE matches and announced seven Hunters, three maps, and a free first Battle Pass. It said the first Early Access season would begin without monetization.
July 8, 2025 Wargaming announced that development would end, citing unsustainable continued development.
September 26, 2025 A shutdown notice set permanent server closure for October 8, 2025, at 12:00 UTC.
October 8, 2025 The servers shut down permanently at 12:00 UTC.
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Was Steel Hunters made by the World of Tanks studio?

Yes. Steel Hunters was developed by Wargaming, which identified itself as the developer behind World of Tanks and World of Warships. The company presented Steel Hunters as an original IP rather than a World of Tanks spin-off. Its connection to those games is the studio behind it, not a shared game title or established series.

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