King of Meat: The Rise and Fall of a Medieval Party Platformer

King of Meat, a co-op party platformer developed by Amazon and Glowmade, is shutting down in April 2026. The game, which debuted at Gamescom ONL 2024, allowed four friends to navigate a medieval, community-built obstacle course. Despite its unique concept, the game failed to gain significant traction.

The announcement of the game’s closure was made on the official website, stating that servers will be shut down, and refunds will be issued to all players who purchased the game. This move marks the end of an era for King of Meat, a game that showed promise but ultimately failed to deliver.

The game’s trailer, which featured Geoff Keighley, generated significant buzz at Gamescom ONL 2024. However, the game’s player base remained relatively small, with only a handful of players active on Steam. Despite efforts to revive the game, the decision to shut down the servers was ultimately made.

The closure of King of Meat serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by game developers in creating engaging and sustainable online experiences. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, developers must analyse player behaviour and adapt to changing trends to ensure the success of their games.

The refund process for King of Meat players will be straightforward, with all players eligible for a full refund. The game’s developers have expressed gratitude to the players who supported the game during its short lifespan. As the gaming community moves on from King of Meat, it will be interesting to see what other projects Amazon and Glowmade have in store.

In the world of gaming, closure is not uncommon, and many games have faced similar fates. However, the story of King of Meat serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of creating games that resonate with players and foster a strong community. As the gaming industry continues to grow, developers must focus on creating engaging and sustainable experiences that keep players coming back for more.