Amazon Games Cancels Failed Battle Royale Attempt King of Meat Less Than 6 Months After Launch

IGN

by Vikki Blake

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Amazon Games has officially canceled its battle royale game *King of Meat*, just five months after its launch in October 2023. The decision comes after the game failed to gain a substantial player base, with only a few hundred users actively playing on Steam at any time. Glowmade, the game's developer, announced that *King of Meat* will shut down on April 9, 2026, and players will no longer be able to access or purchase the game after that date. Amazon had reportedly set ambitious goals for the title, aiming for hundreds of thousands of players and heavily promoting it through The Game Awards and collaborations with influencers like MrBeast. Despite its creative approach, *King of Meat* struggled to meet expectations. Amazon acknowledged the game's lack of success in a statement, stating that it did not achieve the audience they had hoped for. Players are being offered refunds for their purchases, including any in-game currency (Stamps), through the platform where they made their purchase, such as Steam or PlayStation Store. The company emphasized that no further updates, balance changes, or bug fixes will be implemented during the game's remaining time online. This decision highlights the challenges of launching and sustaining a battle royale game in a highly competitive market. Amazon's cancellation follows similar moves by other major studios, such as Riot Games' recent scaling back of their 2v2 fighting game *2XKO*. These actions underscore the difficulty of creating games that resonate with large audiences, even when backed by significant marketing and development resources. For gamers, this news serves as a reminder of the risks involved in supporting new or experimental titles, as they may not always deliver on their promises. The cancellation also raises questions about Amazon's strategy in the gaming industry. While the company has invested heavily in game development and distribution, *King of Meat*'s failure shows that even well-promoted titles can fall short of expectations. For developers, this serves as a cautionary tale about aligning creative vision with market demand. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, such decisions will likely remain a critical part of the industry's trajectory. In summary, Amazon Games' decision to shut down *King of Meat* after just five months reflects the high stakes and challenges of creating successful multiplayer games. While the game's creativity and innovation were praised, its inability to attract a large audience led to its premature end. This outcome not only affects players but also sends broader signals about the gaming industry's competitive nature and the importance of aligning ambitious projects with market realities.

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Originally published on IGN on 2/24/2026