This was not called execution. It was called retirement.
Developer Firaxis has announced that it is preparing to “retire” all multiplayer modes for its great sci-fi strategy sequelXCOM 2. As of March 28, the Steam edition of the challenging, turn-based title will no longer support online multiplayer nor theWar of the Chosenexpansion pack’s “Challenge Mode.”
“The decision to retire these services isn’t something done lightly,” said Firaxis in a succinct statement delivered on Twitter. “[But] it does allow us to refocus our resources. We appreciate your support and thank you for your understanding.”
While the March update will not remove any player’s ability to enjoyXCOM 2‘s excellent campaign mode, the news is most assuredly a bummer forXCOMfans in particular and strategy fans in general. For many decades, strategy games have long outlived their lifespans via online multiplayer. According to Firaxis, multiplayer modeswillcontinueto operate on both the Mac and console versions ofXCOM 2, at least for the time being.
Titles in strategy franchises such asCommand & ConquerandTotal Warhave provided their communities with years, even decades, of multiplayer warfare long after a point of relevancy, either via official means or through community-run online servers. Still, the decision has indeed been made, so interested parties better get those last few bouts of interstellar fisticuffs in quick-smart — or perhaps even invest in a copy ofXCOM 2for PS4/Xbox One.
As a heads up to the XCOM 2 community, we wanted to share that we will be retiring services for Multiplayer and Challenge Mode for the Steam version of the game. On March 28, an update to the Steam version of XCOM 2 will remove the functionalities.
— XCOM (@XCOM)July 18, 2025
