Chinese developer Yongshi has recently revealed that it will halt future updates for its free-to-play 3D action RPG Aether Gazer following the V5.2 update on December 1. Typically, the phrase “end of future updates” implies a shutdown for live-service games, but the Aether Gazer team clarified that this won’t be the outcome.
In an unusual decision, the team has chosen to keep the game running via a Companion Server even after its “EOS.” This means no new version updates will be released after December, but players can still access and play the existing content.
According to the developers, the Companion Server is the first step in preserving the game long-term, with service planned to continue until September 2031. Before the Companion Server’s service ends in 2031, the publishers will assess whether extending the operation is viable. If not, they will explore alternative preservation methods, such as converting the game into a free standalone offline client. Specific details about the Companion Server system and the game’s future will be shared in upcoming updates.
With numerous live-service and gacha games announcing EOS in recent years—possibly due to their relatively brief lifespans—the concept of “live service game preservation” has gained significant attention online. The topic resurfaced recently after a controversial fan-made offline port of NieR Re[in]carnation (created without permission from the rights holders) went viral on X, sparking debate over whether developers should be responsible for preserving discontinued games.
While many Japanese developers argue that adding offline support to live-service games is more challenging than it seems, the industry has also seen success stories, such as Final Fantasy Resonance (though it’s not a direct replica of its mobile predecessor, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius).
Although Aether Gazer’s Companion Server won’t launch for some time, it will be intriguing to observe how it evolves long-term and what preservation steps the developer takes next.