After nearly a decade of service, Cygames have officially announced that Shadowverse will permanently shut down on 30 June 2026. The announcement was made on Shadowverse‘s website on 25 March 2026.
Since its launch on 17 June 2016, Shadowverse has been released as a spin-off of Rage of Bahamut. Over time, it evolved into a standalone title. Throughout its 10-year lifespan, the game introduced over 5,000 cards across 32 expansion sets, along with 20 story chapters featuring memorable original characters.
The developers continuously expanded their features to maintain player engagement. These included the introduction of the Portalcraft class, competitive formats such as Rotation and Unlimited, and additional modes like Take Two and Cross Craft. The game also has a thriving esports scene, highlighted by large-scale tournaments such as the Shadowverse World Grand Prix, which offered prize pools of up to 100 million yen.
As the shutdown date approaches, the development team has outlined a detailed roadmap for the closure. The first phase began with system maintenance on 24 March 2026, after which players could no longer purchase new in-game currency (Crystals). However, any remaining Crystals can still be used. Further details regarding refunds or unused currency will be announced via the official website.
To commemorate the game’s final months, all players will receive free access to the Premium Pass for Battle Pass Season 23, starting 31 March 2026. On the same date, the Throwback rotation will be reset, while the Leader Card in Three! pack will be discontinued. Additional Throwback updates are scheduled for the end of April and May.
Although the original Shadowverse will soon conclude, the franchise will still continue in other forms. It has already expanded into the physical card game Shadowverse: Evolve, the Nintendo Switch title Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle, and anime adaptations such as Shadowverse and Shadowverse Flame. The game sequel, Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond, was also released in 2025.
The Indonesian Anime Times
