While Monster Hunter fans are busy celebrating the release of Wilds, another hunting game franchise isn’t so lucky right now. News just broke on February 24 that Dauntless would be ending its service on May 30, 2025, after which it will no longer be playable. Furthermore, developer Phoenix Labs announced that no additional content or patches are coming for Dauntless, including the major “Urban Reign” update that was just delayed out of January. Coming off of a string of controversial changes, this shutdown was somewhat expected, but still disheartening news after more than five years of operation.
Admittedly, one of the things Dauntless has become known for is its inability to catch a break. Dauntless was first announced at The Game Awards 2016 with minimal console hunting game competition, but Monster Hunter World quickly changed that at E3 2017. Even with Dauntless‘ beta topping 2 million players shortly after World’s launch, it couldn’t compete with the original hunting series’ rise to global fame. What followed was a downward spiral into strife and controversy, eventually resulting in Phoenix Labs losing most of its staff. There’s no saving Dauntless now, but games like it need to give its best idea a second chance.
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Dauntless Had Many Problems, But Its Initial Pricing Model Wasn’t One
Free-To-Play Gave Dauntless A Unique Advantage Over Monster Hunter
Dauntless was devised as a free-to-play hunting game during a time when Monster Hunter was not as dominant as it is now. Various developments have affected the game and Phoenix Labs since then, with the acquisition by blockchain firm Forte Labs likely being the most consequential, but that core concept remained. Even though Dauntless didn’t hook many existing Monster Hunter fans, it still has the appeal of being free on multiple platforms. The increased emphasis on monetization at the expense of its existing gameplay strengths in Dauntless‘ December 2024 “Awakening” update was what soiled the game’s reputation, and the development team nearly dissolving a month later brought about its end.
However, Dauntless didn’t survive through the height of Monster Hunter’s popularity with its existing microtransactions or sheer luck. Free-to-play hunting games are a nearly untapped market, with Monster Hunter itself just recently trying them with titles like Monster Hunter Now and Monster Hunter Outlanders. Even if Dauntless couldn’t have the best of both worlds, it reached one demographic before Monster Hunter, and it’s one that was arguably underserved even before Dauntless’ termination. Now that Dauntless is leaving, the free-to-play hunting game space stands open, awaiting new challengers to step up and take advantage of this new vacancy.
Free-To-Play Hunting Games Like Dauntless Can Still Work
Just because Dauntless is shutting down doesn’t mean a free-to-play Monster Hunter competitor is doomed. It’s far from it, even, as hardcore fans aren’t necessarily served by a new Monster Hunter launching without a Master Rank and casual fans are only willing or able to spend so long with a given entry. A free-to-play alternative with good enough presentation and mechanics can still grab both groups’ attention. The free-to-play stage may not be the best place to address growing concerns about Monster Hunter Wilds being too easy or streamlined, but it also doesn’t share the expectations of having those qualities in the first place.
Monster Hunter Has A Lack Of Competition In Its Space
Specifically, the free-to-play hunting game space on consoles and computers is basically empty without Dauntless championing the cause, so newcomers should start there. After Wild Hearts’ failure a couple of years ago, the lack of games in the hunting genre became more apparent, so the more discerning console crowds should be receptive to games trying to enter and grow the space. What happened to Dauntless was a long and tragic process, but at least it can serve as a warning for others to avoid certain decisions, and as a testament to how far even a failed free-to-play hunting game can go.
- Released
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September 26, 2019
- ESRB
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T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Phoenix Labs
- Publisher(s)
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Phoenix Labs
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