The End of Guns Up: A Look Back at the PlayStation 4 Exclusive

The Rise and Fall of Guns Up

PlayStation 4 console exclusive game Guns Up, developed by San Diego Studio and Valkyrie Entertainment, has officially been shut down. Guns Up originally released as a PlayStation 4 exclusive in 2015. A PC port of the game was released on Steam a few years later, though that version is no longer available either.

guns up gameplay

Guns Up was an online-only, free-to-play multiplayer game where players were tasked with attacking the military bases of other players. The game was not well-received at the time of its launch, earning mixed to negative reviews from critics. Many took issue with the game's free-to-play economy and reliance on microtransactions, something more commonly seen in the mobile space and not as welcomed by console gamers.

Despite this, Guns Up still managed to find dedicated fans that enjoyed the game, and they will no doubt be sad to learn that it has been shut down forever. Guns Up is no longer available to download or play on PC or PS4. The original plan was for Guns Up to shut down this past April, but the decision was made to extend the shut-down date to December 14, giving fans a little more time to play the game before its demise.

The Legacy of Guns Up

Guns Up fans on PC and PS4 may be disappointed that the game has been delisted and shut down, but it's not all doom and gloom. A mobile spin-off called Guns Up: Mobile War Strategy exists, having been released just last year. The mobile version of Guns Up is available on both Android and iOS devices and has amassed over 1 million downloads and a 4.2/5 overall rating on the Google Play Store at the time of this writing. Needless to say, mobile gamers are far more forgiving when it comes to Guns Up's free-to-play economy and microtransactions, so the game seems like it will be more of a natural fit on mobile platforms.

It's possible that the success of Guns Up: Mobile War Strategy led to the decision to remove the PC and PlayStation 4 versions of the game, though an official reason hasn't been given. It would make sense, as Guns Up already seems like a much bigger hit on mobile than it ever was on PC or PS4. Regardless, there were those who enjoyed playing Guns Up on PC and PS4 who won't be willing to try the mobile version, and so their time with the game has unfortunately come to an end.

The Future of Guns Up

The shutdown of Guns Up on PC and PS4 marks the end of an era for the game's dedicated fans. However, it also signifies a new beginning with the emergence of Guns Up: Mobile War Strategy. The success of the mobile spin-off suggests that Guns Up has found a more receptive audience in the mobile gaming community. While some fans may mourn the loss of the PC and PS4 versions, the mobile version offers a fresh opportunity to experience the game in a new light. It remains to be seen how the legacy of Guns Up will evolve in the mobile gaming landscape, but one thing is certain: the spirit of Guns Up lives on in the mobile war strategy game, forging a new path for the franchise.