HiGame

It’s been over two years since Microsoft’s Project Spark was launched publicly, but this free creation suite is already being shut down. We’ve already seen numerous Microsoft-owned studios shuttered earlier this year, and this latest move reiterates that Redmond isn’t interested in keeping struggling games and teams on life support.

When Project Spark launched in 2014, it was a free-to-play game that was built around micro-transactions. Different set pieces and tools could be used to make your own levels that could be shared with other Xbox One and PC gamers, but all of that changed last September. All of the existing content was made completely free, previous purchases were refunded, and plans for future updates were halted.

While that was a short-term boon for frugal enthusiasts, it spelled doom for the long-term prospects of the game. Without any way to make money, it was only a matter of time before the other shoe dropped. Last week, Microsoft removed Project Spark from the Windows Store and Xbox Marketplace. Existing users still have access to the game, but all of the online functionality is scheduled to end on August 12th.




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