Mountaintop Studios is shutting down its tactical FPS, Spectre Divide, as the game failed to meet performance expectations and generate sufficient revenue. Read the CEO's official statement and the reasons behind this decision.
Spectre Divide to Go Offline Within 30 Days
Season 1 and Console Launch Disappoint
Just six months after its debut, Spectre Divide is being discontinued due to underwhelming player engagement and financial returns from its first season and console release. On March 13, the game's official Twitter (X) account shared an update with the community regarding the situation.
Nate Mitchell, CEO of Mountaintop Studios, stated, "It has been two weeks since we launched Season 1: Flashpoint for Spectre Divide." He continued, "We deeply appreciate the positive feedback and support we've received in that short period. Regrettably, the launch did not achieve the success required to sustain the game or maintain Mountaintop's operations."
Initial momentum was strong, with over 400,000 players and a peak concurrent user count of approximately 10,000 across all platforms in the first week. However, player activity and revenue quickly declined, making it impossible to support ongoing development and studio operations.
According to a December 2024 report by The Verge, Mountaintop Studios was already struggling, viewing the console launch and Season 1 as a final effort to save the project. Lee Horn, Game Director for Spectre Divide, noted that despite marketing initiatives, server problems at launch severely impacted player retention. Mitchell added, "If player engagement with Season 1 doesn't meet our targets, we must carefully consider whether to proceed or accept that the game isn't resonating with the audience."
The game is expected to go offline within the next 30 days. New purchases will be halted, and players who made purchases after the Season 1 relaunch will receive refunds. Further details on the process will be shared soon.
Spectre Divide Closes Despite $30 Million Funding Round
This closure comes as a surprise, especially after Mountaintop Studios secured $30 million in funding last year. In a 2024 LinkedIn post, the company highlighted that the investment came from prominent industry backers such as Anthos Capital, RX3 Growth Partners, A16Z GAMES, and several angel investors.
Despite this financial backing, it wasn't enough to ensure the game's longevity. Mitchell explained, "We explored every possible option to continue, including partnerships with publishers, additional funding, and potential acquisition. Ultimately, we couldn't secure a viable path forward. The gaming industry is currently facing significant challenges."
He added, "Our goal was to introduce innovation and originality in a competitive genre, creating memorable experiences for players and their friends. We reimagined the gameplay, developed a distinctive art style and universe, and collaborated with industry legends. We were always aware of the risks, but we believed in the vision. It was a bold endeavor from the start."
Spectre Divide now joins a growing list of live-service games that have struggled to sustain themselves. Titles like Multiversus, Babylon's Fall, Concord, and canceled projects such as The Last of Us Online and a reported God of War live-service game highlight the difficulties in this segment.
Mountaintop Studios to Close by Week's End
Mitchell confirmed that Mountaintop Studios will cease operations by the end of this week. Despite exhaustive efforts, the company no longer has the financial resources to continue.
Mitchell stated, "Since the PC launch, we extended our remaining capital as far as possible. However, we've now exhausted all funding to support the game. As a result, Mountaintop will be closing at the end of this week."
