GDPR prompts Super Monday Night Combat shutdown
Developer Uber Entertainment says cost of rewriting back-end too high to warrant compliance
Uber Entertainment will close its online multiplayer title Super Monday Night Combat next month as it fails to meet GDPR requirments.
The firm told Polygon the game is built on an older version of the back-end system that powers its multiplayer, a setup that is not compliant with the imminent General Data Protection Regulation.
The developer would need to rewrite significant portions of the system or port the game to another platform in order to make Super Monday Night Combat compliant with GDPR, and the cost of doing so is beyond Uber's budget for the game.
The audience most likely doesn't warrant such investment either. It's reported that over the past six months Super Monday Night Combat's concurrent player count rarely exceeded 25 people.
In a statement, Uber promised the game would remain online until May 23rd. In the meantime, it is offering $10,000 of in-game currency so players can enjoy a few last hurrahs before the game's closure.
GDPR comes into effect May 25th and imposes stricter regulations around privacy and the handling of users' personal data - with hefty fines for any companies whose services and products are not compliant.
Earlier this month, we posted a three-part guide to GDPR by legal experts Purewal & Partners, breaking down everything you need to know about ensuring your game meets the new requirements. The guide includes an overview of the new regulations, a closer look at how it affects digital entertainment, and a handy FAQ.