The mobile game Crash Bandicoot is being shut down after less than two years

Candy Crush developer King is retiring its mobile game Crash Bandicoot On the Run.

The game’s servers will shut down on February 16, 2023, the mobile giant announced today. After this time the game is no longer playable.

In the meantime, starting today (December 19), all in-app purchases will be disabled. “You have until February 16, 2023 to use the associated purple crystals in-game,” King shared.

In view of this decision king had this to say:

“It meant so much to us bringing your favorite Crash characters to life and we genuinely loved making this game. Thank you for spending your time with us and we hope you will join us for one of our many other games.”

This news came as a bit of a surprise to many, especially given that On the Run players were still hoping on the 16th that a relaunch of the title was on the horizon.

This speculation came after reports earlier this month that the game was being quietly removed from both the Google Play and App stores. At the time, On the Run’s customer support team said this was only a temporary issue and not a sign of the future.

In fact, it said it was “busy putting the finishing touches on more exciting features and islands that will be available very soon” (thanks, crash messages). Ultimately, however, this was not the case.

Understandably, this has left a bitter taste in the mouth for many. “[You’re] kidding me??! I finished the game and I’ve been waiting for new levels for ages!” wrote one player upon hearing the news.

Another called King’s decision to shut down the game “a slap in the face to every Crash fan who gave this mobile money a shot.”

“Ouch already? It was short-lived,” mused another (On the Run didn’t launch until March of last year), while one noted “this game had a lot going for it and you people let it die”.

Meanwhile, numerous players are lamenting the money they spent on the game, with some calling King’s move “incredibly sleazy.”