GameSpy shuts down May 31: will your game be affected?

There's a brand called GameSpy out there in the gaming technology universe that runs multiplayer and CD key authentication for a wide variety of games. While part of GameSpy was a video game news site, there was also an online matchmaking service – now owned by Glu Mobile – which will be shut down on May 31st, 2014. There are a number of games that will be affected by this shutdown.

In the recent past – and until the 31st of May, GameSpy worked with multiplayer matchmaking, cloud storage, and leaderboard technologies. It worked with technologies such as these on a number of platforms: Android, iOS, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Nintendo DS, Mac, PlayStation 3, Windows PC and Xbox 360 included.

We're to understand that most games working with GameSpy technology today are either preparing to phase out their usage of said service or will have already had it phased out by the time the shutdown comes.

Several statements have been made on the subject from a number of game developers.

"This is going to affect multiplayer in our games that use Gamespy for matchmaking, cd keys authentification and NAT traversal from Arma: Resistance to Arma 3. We are planning to introduce an alternative solution using Steam to Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead and Arma 3 users.

Other games (Take On Helicopters, Arma 2, Arma 2: Free, Arma, Arma: Cold War Assault) will have more limited multiplayer experience with loss of server browser, cd key authentification and NAT traversal systems. That said, direct IP connection to servers should work even after Gamespy services are no longer available.

We apologize for any inconvenience." – Marek Spanel of Bohemia Interactive

According to Polygon, Iron Galaxy Studios CEO Dave Lang has made clear that their game Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike Online Edition will not be affected. The game previously used GameSpy but "replaced it with a homegrown solution a bit ago." The same source suggests that Capcom has let the following be known:

"There are a few titles for which Capcom utilizes GameSpy's matchmaking services for online gameplay. We are evaluating migration solutions and will have more information in the near future." – Capcom

As GameSpy suggests, they've been able to work "on EVERY gaming platform: handheld, console, desktop", so we'll be interested to hear what other developers have to say about migrating services.

Meanwhile, stick around, as we'll be running through a list of games to make certain you know if your favorite works with GameSpy technology this summer – or won't soon, that is to say.

VIA: GameSpy