Double Eleven Keeps Blindfire Servers Alive, Makes Game Free to Play After a year and a half of early access, Double Eleven’s multiplayer first-person shooter Blindfire officially launched this week. The game, which centers on combat in pitch-black arenas using sound, technology, and instinct rather than sight, reached its full release despite struggling to find a broad audience. While the game received mostly positive reviews on Steam, player numbers remained low, and the team faced the typical dilemma of whether to shut down the servers or continue supporting the project. Instead of following the usual pattern of abandoning underperforming titles, Double Eleven made a bold decision: they kept the servers running indefinitely and made the game free for all players. The developers explained their choice in a message to players, stating that Blindfire “meant everything to the team who made it.” They emphasized that the decision was not a marketing stunt or a last-ditch effort to boost numbers, but a belief that creative work deserves to exist regardless of its commercial success. This move aligns with growing concerns in the gaming industry about the practice of shutting down online games once they stop generating profit. The Stop Killing Games movement, which has gained traction in European parliaments, seeks to protect titles from premature shutdowns. Double Eleven took action independently, without waiting for legislative pressure. The developers also confirmed that active development on Blindfire ended roughly a year ago, but they included one final update before shutting down further work. This update introduced two new weapons: the Desolation, an explosive sticky-slug shotgun designed for chaotic close-quarters combat, and the Tempest, a precision burst rifle for players who prefer calculated shots.#audio_aim_assist #double_eleven #blindfire #stop_killing_games #concord
Failed Online Shooter Blindfire to Remain Free and Active After Year-Long Hiatus Double Eleven, the developer behind the online first-person shooter Blindfire, has announced that the game will remain free to play and active on its servers indefinitely. Originally launched in October 2024, Blindfire was designed as a dark-themed multiplayer experience where players had to rely on stealth and environmental awareness to locate enemies. Despite its unique premise, the game struggled to gain traction among players, leading to a prolonged period of inactivity. However, the studio has decided to preserve the game’s legacy by releasing a major update and making it accessible to all. On May 7, Double Eleven posted an update on Blindfire’s Steam page, revealing that the game had been renamed Blindfire: Lights Out and was now completely free to download and play across PC and console platforms. This decision came as a surprise to many, as the team had not worked on the game for “about a year.” The developers emphasized that their goal was to ensure the game’s survival as a piece of digital art, stating, “We believe games are art and they deserve to be preserved.” The studio rejected the idea of burying their creation due to its commercial underperformance, instead framing the update as a “gift” to those who wanted to experience their work. The final update includes several new features aimed at enhancing the player experience. Two additional weapons, new achievements, and fresh skins are now available to unlock, offering players more content to explore. Perhaps the most significant addition is the “Audio Aim Assist” accessibility feature, which was introduced based on feedback from blind and partially sighted players.#steam #double_eleven #blindfire #blindfire_lights_out #audio_aim_assist
