The Dungeons & Dragons action brawler, Dark Alliance, is officially shutting down its servers on February 2nd, 2025. This means online co-op play, a core feature of the game, will no longer be available. Additionally, the game will be removed from digital storefronts on the same date. This announcement comes after a rocky launch in 2021 and persistent struggles to gain a significant player base.
Many gamers discovered Dungeons & Dragons mechanics through video games like the PS2-era Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance. Despite this legacy and the resurgence of D&D popularity thanks to titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Dark Alliance failed to capture a similar audience. Its peak concurrent player count on Steam remained under 10,000 players.
Dungeons and Dragons Dark Alliance party picA party of adventurers in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance.
Player feedback on Steam paints a mixed picture, with a 43% positive rating. Bugs impacting gameplay are a frequent complaint, alongside criticism of combat mechanics and class balance issues. These issues were echoed by critics, further hindering the game’s success.
However, some players did praise the single-player storyline and its adherence to D&D lore, a natural strength given its publication by Wizards of the Coast. Recent reviews suggest some bugs have been addressed, but this hasn’t revitalized the online community. A common sentiment among players, regardless of their enjoyment of the single-player mode, is the feeling that the game has been abandoned by the developers, leading to a dwindling player base. This is particularly detrimental for a game heavily reliant on co-op gameplay.
Dungeons and Dragons Dark Alliance CombatBattling a giant in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance.
Tuque Games officially confirmed the shutdown in an updated Steam description. While the reasons weren’t explicitly detailed, the combination of negative reception and low player counts likely contributed to the decision.
For those who already own Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance, offline play, including access to DLC content, will remain accessible after the servers close. This allows players to complete the single-player campaign, which was generally received more favorably. Players still have a few months to purchase the base game and the Echoes of the Blood War DLC before they are removed from sale.
