Indie shooter devs pull a reverse-Concord: No one played their game, but they ‘make it free to play and keep the servers online indefinitely’ anyway
Double Eleven’s multiplayer shooter Blindfire has transitioned to free-to-play following a challenging launch period. After spending approximately 18 months in early access, the game received its full release, but failed to attract a substantial player base despite receiving mostly positive reviews from critics.
Rather than shutting down the servers, the developers have chosen to keep Blindfire running indefinitely as a free-to-play title. This decision represents an unusual approach compared to recent industry precedent, where failed online games are typically shut down—notably Concord, which was discontinued shortly after launch.
The game’s core mechanic involves dark arenas where players must rely on alternative sensory inputs and technology to locate and eliminate opponents, differentiating it from traditional bright-arena shooters. While this distinctive concept earned critical appreciation, it apparently failed to resonate with the broader gaming audience.
In their announcement to players, the Double Eleven team stated they “failed on our terms, and we’re proud of that”—suggesting acceptance of their commercial underperformance while maintaining commitment to the game’s community. This approach prioritizes game preservation and community retention over pursuing profitability, positioning Blindfire as a passion project rather than a commercial venture moving forward.