After nine long years, popular dark fantasy roleplaying game "Demon Souls" is shutting down its online servers. Publishers Sony and Atlus will be closing down the servers on Feb. 28, 2018.
"Demon Souls," the predecessor to hit RPG game "Dark Souls," first came out on the PlayStation 3 in 2009. Many players were stumped by the game's difficulty, but "Demon Souls" gained popularity and attained a loyal following for its challenging but rewarding combat and its grueling gameplay.
Multiplayer was a big part of "Demon Soul's" popularity.
The game had a bloodstain system that allowed players to leave messages for one another. While they couldn't directly affect each other's gameplay, players would be able to see tips and suggestions left behind by those who went before them. They could also leave similar messages for future players. It didn't end there, players could see spectral apparitions of the players before them, witness how these previous players met their own demise, and then try to adapt according to the information they received.
There was also a more direct multiplayer mode that allowed up to three players to team up against a boss in the hosts' world. Whenever players had problems with certain bosses, they had the option to enlist the help of other players. Cooperative mode aside, players could also go into a black phantom mode, invade the world of others players and venture off to kill the host in exchange for rewards and souls.
The announcement that "Demon Souls" would be shutting down its servers was also posted on the official "Dark Souls" Twitter account. "After 9 years of reoccurring deaths and frustrations, but just as many triumphs of dedication, Demon's Souls online servers will terminate on Feb. 28, 2018. Play online one last time, and share with us your best Demon's Souls moment!" The tweet read.
Understandably it was met with mixed emotions.
Those who purchase "Demon Souls" will still be able to play the game in its entirety, but they will no longer be able to use any of the multiplayer features once the servers have been shut down.
