This was not called execution. It was called retirement.
Developer Firaxis has announced that it is preparing to “retire” all multiplayer modes for its great sci-fi strategy sequel XCOM 2. As of March 28, the Steam edition of the challenging, turn-based title will no longer support online multiplayer nor the War of the Chosen expansion pack’s “Challenge Mode.”
“The decision to retire these services isn’t something done lightly,” said Firaxis in a succinct statement delivered on Twitter. “[But] it does allow us to refocus our resources. We appreciate your support and thank you for your understanding.”
While the March update will not remove any player’s ability to enjoy XCOM 2‘s excellent campaign mode, the news is most assuredly a bummer for XCOM fans in particular and strategy fans in general. For many decades, strategy games have long outlived their lifespans via online multiplayer. According to Firaxis, multiplayer modes will continue to operate on both the Mac and console versions of XCOM 2, at least for the time being.
Titles in strategy franchises such as Command & Conquer and Total War have provided their communities with years, even decades, of multiplayer warfare long after a point of relevancy, either via official means or through community-run online servers. Still, the decision has indeed been made, so interested parties better get those last few bouts of interstellar fisticuffs in quick-smart — or perhaps even invest in a copy of XCOM 2 for PS4/Xbox One.
As a heads up to the XCOM 2 community, we wanted to share that we will be retiring services for Multiplayer and Challenge Mode for the Steam version of the game. On March 28, an update to the Steam version of XCOM 2 will remove the functionalities.
— XCOM (@XCOM) February 26, 2022