Halo 2’s multiplayer servers to shutdown in February as only 20 players online at peak times

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It’s always sad to hear that a game’s multiplayer servers are being closed. For instance, recently, when Gamespy shut down the servers for a wide selection of games which still had thousands of players using them regularly, it left gamers abandoned and angry. Yet in the case of Halo 2 the move is somewhat understandable, if still a little sad, too. 343 Studios have “been monitoring the population for months, and it’s been peaking consistently at approximately 20 players or less”.

Dates and obituary below.

In herlatest bulletin, 343 Studios’ community manager Jessica Shea writes “we’re sad to report that the service end-date for Halo 2 PC Multiplayer will be February 15, 2013. We’ve been monitoring the population for months, and it’s been peaking consistently at approximately 20 players or less. Those that own this game can continue to enjoy Multiplayer over LAN after that date; however our network services will be turned off at that time. We love you, Halo 2 PC, and you will live forever in our hearts.”

While they both came out in 2007, the Xbox version of Halo 2 had its servers closed by Microsoft in April 2010. So at least those 20 players have had a further two years. Now though they shall need to either find another game to become a niche playerbase for or meet for LAN events.