Tiny MMO Book of Travels is ending development after 5 troubled years
Book of Travels, a small indie MMO from Swedish developer Might and Delight, is ending development after a turbulent five-year history. The game launched into early access in 2021 with artistic promise, but faced immediate challenges including staff layoffs (approximately 25 employees) just months after launch. Despite developer commitments to ongoing support, the project struggled to maintain player numbers and failed to achieve its original ambitions.
Rather than simply shutting down servers and losing the game entirely—a common industry practice—Might and Delight has implemented a preservation-focused solution. The developer has added offline mode functionality, converting Book of Travels from a multiplayer experience into a singleplayer RPG. The game’s price has been reduced to $5, making it more accessible to players. Servers are scheduled to shut down in July, but players will retain indefinite access to the game through the offline mode.
Book of Travels is notable for its distinctive artistic direction and meditative gameplay experience. The game features a gorgeously stylized world compared to “a living, breathing painting,” with gameplay focused on exploration, fishing, and bartering rather than traditional MMO progression mechanics. Its design philosophy draws comparisons to cozy games like Animal Crossing, positioning it as an alternative to combat-driven online experiences.
This shutdown represents a notable departure from industry trends, where failing live-service games are typically abandoned entirely, resulting in permanent loss. By transitioning Book of Travels to offline format, Might and Delight has chosen game preservation over profit maximization, allowing players to continue experiencing the game indefinitely at a minimal cost.