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Chromehounds online play being put down

Sega pulling the plug on servers for From Software's team-based mech shooter early next year.

When Sega's Chromehounds debuted on the Xbox 360 in July of 2006, it garnered cheers for its persistent online multiplayer campaign and jeers for a single-player mode that amounted to little more than a tutorial for online action. That dichotomy will disappear early next year, as Sega today posted on its official Chromehounds message boards that it will discontinue the game's online modes.

Chromehounds fans will make sure the game goes out with guns blazing.

Chromehounds fans will make sure the game goes out with guns blazing.

"We regret to inform everyone that the Chromehounds online service will be closing on January 6, 2010," an administrator wrote. "At this time, all online components for Chromehounds will no longer be accessible, and the game will only be available for play in Offline modes."

The admin thanked Chromehounds players for their support and urged them to "enjoy the remaining time with the game."

Chromehounds was the first Xbox 360 title developed by From Software. The studio subsequently developed a pair of titles in its signature Armored Core mech combat series for Microsoft's current console, as well the role-playing game Enchanted Arms, and the ninja action games Tenchu: Shadow Assault and Ninja Blade.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's review of Chromehounds.

99 Comments

  • gfxarts

    Posted Jul 12, 2010 6:39 pm GMT

    dsb333 said it best. It's an honor to get on a good squad and I absolutely loved the persistent campaign. Dialing bases and mech parody were problematic, but early on it was an absolute blast.

  • david12211

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 3:51 pm GMT

    I bet we can get them to put chromehounds back on or make a chromehounds too all we have to do is not buy sega games unless they do one of the too and if they don't they'll go out of business for sure if we get enough people

  • Cornholio89

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 12:06 pm GMT

    Is there a petition of some sort we can sign to overturn this?

  • Spiritwolf99

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 9:22 pm GMT

    Man, I loved this game so damn much.

    I only got it like last year, but I played the hell out of it for a good bit. I ran a scout/soldier class similar to The Last Dancer on Youtube (look it up, it's a wheelie with four Anti-Hound rockets that goes 300+ speed.) except it has two machine guns under the rockets for taking out tanks and other weaker opponents, goes slightly slower, and has slightly different parts. (295 I think my speed is.) If I get hit even once, I'm usually down for the count. I normally don't get hit though, maybe a 1 in 5 chance of them getting that hit, and a 1 in 3 chance of that hit being nigh harmless machine gun fire anyway - so I rarely went down unless the enemy had a really good sniper. Snipers were the only thing that HOUND had a problem with, but that's why we have squadmates!

  • dsb333

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 2:07 am GMT

    Sad to hear that Chromehounds online is on its way out. Haven't played since they updated the game to death after the reign of the "double-double" mech build (anyone playing the game back in late 06' - early 07' knows what I'm talking about) and consequently all but ruined a fantastic game, but back when it was first out, it was big. There was no game quite like it, and there hasn't been since. The amount of tactic, communication, and teamwork required to successfully compete online was unprecedented, every member of the team had their rightful place, and everybody felt important and necessary. It was so different from any other game I'd ever played, and that holds true today. I would love to see the Chromehounds online community come back to the way it was, because the last time I checked, the online attendance was in the hundreds, at best, and it just wasn't the same. But if From is out there reading this, I'm all in for a Chromehounds 2!

  • HFViking55

    Posted Sep 8, 2009 2:19 pm GMT

    I'm not really all that surprised that Sega would pull the carpet out from under the fans of one of its products. Then again, I did buy a dreamcast (and loved it) after being burned by 32X and Saturn.

  • EMFSierra069

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 12:36 pm GMT

    You know, a lot of the previous comments have a point...why not a "Chromehounds 2"? Or a hell of an expansion pack release for 'Hounds? Halo 2 servers are still alive and kickin'...I don't think Sega realizes just how many of us are still out there playing the hell out of 'Hounds! At least keep the servers up until a decision can be made about how to fix this. I have a feeling if Sega does this, they'll loose a LOT of business in the future...mine included.

  • EMFSierra069

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 12:29 pm GMT

    Please don't take our game!! EMF has been enjoying 'Hounds since the day it was released! You don't realize that this is the strongest low-profile game Sega has to date! Why else would all these gamers STILL make the effort to win the war anymore? Don't you people find it funny, that after 3 years, there are still squads that fight hard to win the war? The game-play is constantly changing, and that's what we all love about it! The possibilities for hound builds are endless! Come on everybody! We've got to stand together and save our game! It's not fair!

  • HAMMER261266

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 6:39 pm GMT

    It really is a great game. It's a lot like Gears of War in that it's easy to pick up and play, but hard to master. Mech building was nearly endless and seriously addictive. The multiplayer game play was truly great.

    If Chromehounds 2 is coming early next year, then I don't mind. If not, I sure hope there is some way we can save it.

  • green_dominator

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 3:06 pm GMT

    I didn't know anyone still played that game.......
    There are lot's of games on 360 that aren't being played because 1 new version 2 folks dropped the game 3 company ended the online support and.....4 better game available....
    I never played Chromehounds beyond it's demo but yeah, it's sad to see any game go down like that cus someone out there loves the game so to that person, sorry man maybe something better comes along

  • xfactor19990

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 10:13 am GMT

    while not a fan of chromehounds that sad to see server go offline

  • ISuPrEmAcY32I

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:53 am GMT

    Never played chromehounds, but hate to see a game get shut down. Unfortunately that's how things of the internet go. It costs money to run servers, and i think 4 years of keeping it running is respectable though. I wonder how any companies even make money from xbox live. it's only 5 dollars a month, and you can play any online game. Other than microsoft, I don't see the companies themselves getting much if any.

  • Killer2401

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:46 am GMT

    You know....they should shut down the servers and begin work on a sequel. The first game was really enjoyable, and I think a sequel would sell quite nicely.

  • NardBasket

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:15 am GMT

    I loved Chromehounds, it sucks that they're shutting it down

  • strayfies

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:12 am GMT

    This is why I'm wary of online-only games on a console - basically what Inconnux said. I'm sure these people got their $60's worth, but I'd be afraid of liking the game too much and staying with it only to find it ending.

    bowlingotter, I heard that too and I really hope the game companies out there take heart to designing around teamwork, strategy and not necessarily "blazing in like a hero". Those games stick with me the longest I think. If they push a sequel, I'll probably buy it, console or otherwise.

  • ThisNameIsDumb

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:12 am GMT

    waitt... i'm paying for xbox live! how can you drop the server?

  • Inconnux

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:07 am GMT

    This is why I am wary of games that use company servers... The PC model of setting up servers is far superior because once a developer dumps the game the community usually picks up the slack and the game can last for years.

  • bowlingotter

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:02 am GMT

    Man, a lot of fond memories playing this. Genuinely team-oriented, and you HAD to work together towards your common task to hope to win. Easy to meet people and find the same people again later, tons of customizing to the mechs... great online game. I would love to see a sequel to this.

  • sirkibble2

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 8:01 am GMT

    Why did they even close the servers? Are they going under or preparing for another game to use the servers with?

  • Patatopan

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:35 am GMT

    Crap, this reminds me of when the servers for Resident Evil outbreak got pulled.

  • BK-Sleeper

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:21 am GMT


    This is probably the first announcement in years that I've actually cared about. Chromehounds was an AMAZING game for the time I had it. Single player was a little lame, but it was definitely online that was the shining part.
    I'll miss my straight-up soldier hound. Had four small machine guns on the right side, four pile-drivers on the left side, and wheels to haul around on.
    And once I got in close, it was over for them.

    I met the majority of my friends on Chromehounds. Had some pretty memorable battles with them.
    There was also this time, after the good days with my friends, that I joined some Novice squad and they kept telling me to change my soldier to a heavy gunner or something long range because, quote/unquote "They could take me out before I even get to see them."

    Then we go and do a small little one on two and they learned how good of a soldier class I can play. Chromehounds is definitely a game that DESERVES a sequel.

  • dentedskillet

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:17 am GMT

    Thats a shame. I bought this game a while ago but never played it because I heard it was really difficult and I had other games to play. Guess I will dust it off and get to it. I knew I should have done it sooner.

    In regards to server host, I really dont understand the complaint about cost. I am a network admin, and while there are definite upkeep/bandwidth cost per server/application, when it is divided up on datacenters as large as I am sure Segas is, I am sure it isnt that much. I hate to say it, but they should figure that out and ask for donations or something. If cost arent covered, then pull the plug.

  • HuusAsking

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:14 am GMT

    Bgrngod: Then why not offer userland server software to allow users to create their own game worlds? There's another developer allowing for userland servers on their upcoming 360 game. Why not Sega and From?

  • Vanshluuugnheim

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:13 am GMT

    Mr_Tweedy.

    Thats Pretty Ignorant of You. . . Microsoft is the Server for Xbox Live. Individual Games are played On Either the publisher's Servers, Which could very well be Microsoft, or The Individual Developers Servers. All of Which Use Xbox Live. Have You Ever Played an EA Game online. . . To do so you need To have an EA Account. If We didn't Pay for Xbox Live Then We couldn't Play Any Games, And At the Risk of Starting a Fanboy War, Xbox Live Would Be Crap Like PSN if it was free.

  • Mr_Tweedy

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:00 am GMT

    Huh? I thought 360 games were played on M$ servers? If you're playing on a Sega server then why the hell are you paying M$ for Live?!

  • swamptick

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 6:21 am GMT

    Great game. Tons of fun.

  • DanBal76

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 6:16 am GMT

    One of the best Xbox Live titles to date, in my opinion. I have almost 500 hours of online play. I don't play it that much lately, but i'll sure miss it. Hey Sega, don't you think it is time for Chromehounds 2? I would definitely love it.

  • RamMan4x4

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 6:07 am GMT

    what a shame...I'll miss my heavy gunner

  • WormyTheWorm

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 6:07 am GMT

    So that game had dedicated SEGA servers for it did it?

    I thought it was only EA that ran their own servers on the xbox but looks like SEGA do too for some games. Heres me thinking that my xboxlive subscription paid for the running of stuff like this, apart from EA games of course which i dont buy coz of the general server crapness and the fact they can shut them off.

  • INMATEofARKHAM

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 5:40 am GMT

    You think they would release somesort of patch for a local host... Yeah, no persistent online world but at least people could still play it.

  • rann89

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 3:49 am GMT

    One of the best 360 games I ever played online. I hope someone makes a new, similar game.

    RIP my little quad-machinegun go-kart =(

  • zomglolcats

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 2:39 am GMT

    Not starting a system wars debate, but this is one aspect of PC gaming I much prefer. Old games last a very, very, very long time online. On consoles, the devs drop support, or the next big thing comes out, and people drop it.

    You can still find tons of people playing Counter Strike, and how many years old is that game? If people could rent their own servers for console games, you could probably extend the lifespan on consoles.

    Every online game is eventually going to die, but it sucks when you can buy a game off the shelf only to have no one playing it online.

  • Carpe_Noctum

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 2:23 am GMT

    Here I though that EA was the only company F'd enough to shut down console online modes. ( To which they have done on more than 10 360 games ) That really blows for those still playing it. I wonder how active that game still is. My nephew rented it about 6 months ago and said that there were plenty of people playing it. But "plenty" could be paltry in all around numbers.

  • PAJ89

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 2:12 am GMT

    I was very into Chromehounds for the one-and-a-half/two years after its release, and although it had some problems, it was also some of the most fun I've had on XBL. Shame to hear its on the way out.

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 12:52 am GMT

    There is no amount of patching that can be done to make this game playable with 360's as host. Not without completely gutting the game and turning matches into what Mechassault was.

    This game was a pretty big persistent world compared to the typical 360 hosted online games. No way that could be run on a single 360. Server side hardware is required for it to be functional.

  • KAISERKONG

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 12:08 am GMT

    If the game doesn't already support it, maybe Sega could release a patch so individual players can play "host" to other players and make their own server. Other than that, I'm guessing X-link Kai or similar programs will fill the void.

  • gamer082009

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 12:00 am GMT

    Chromehounds always looked like an amazing game to me. But having not played it, I can't feel bad. So, meh!

  • AwesomeIRL

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:55 pm GMT

    This is why multiplayer achievements are a bad idea.

  • MRLUGERGUNZ

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:55 pm GMT

    well since dats goin offline guess i wont be picking that up anymore

  • flammable_zeus

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:28 pm GMT

    Shame, I was considering picking this up soon. Looks like fun multiplayer.

  • kejigoto

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:08 pm GMT

    And now Sega is slipping in more areas beyond just Sonic games.... Brilliant move Sega, truly brilliant.

  • benboz

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 10:53 pm GMT

    I used to have chromehounds, but I never really enjoyed it.

  • MetallicFPSNut

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 10:15 pm GMT

    @ Wylen0

    News flash...Demon's Souls is PS3-exclusive, and isn't even being published by Sega (in Japan, SCEJ took care of publishing and in the rest of the world, it's coming out via Atlus)

    The only way I can see Demon's Souls affecting Chromehounds is if From owns the servers (which they obviously don't since this announcement is from Sega).

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 10:09 pm GMT

    @misfit1119:

    I agree with you that "if" Sega could create some sort of patch that would allow the Xbox 360 console to host the online games, it would be awesome. This would allow everyone to play the game for an unlimited amount of time.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 10:07 pm GMT

    Chromehounds was and is a great game in the Mech genre.

    Even as a game that can only be played offline, Chromehounds is a great game.

    One of the things I loved about the original Xbox was all of the great Mech style games available for it. I was glad to see the Xbox 360 continue that tradition with Chromehounds.

    I wish Sega would keep the online servers for Chromehounds going in order to let Xbox 360 owners of the game cointinue to play; however, I do understand that running servers like that costs money. The only good thing I can see about this announcement is that it proves to certain PS3 "fanboys" that many Xbox 360 games do use online servers when there is a need.

    I'm also very gald to hear that there is a new Mechwarrior game on the way to Xbox 360!

  • PwningMaster posted Aug 17, 2009 9:45 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    PwningMaster

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 9:45 pm GMT (hide)

    There was a game called Chromehounds?

  • Wylen0

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 9:44 pm GMT

    Awwwww man I was finnaly going to pick this up so i could play with my friends but unless they patch in peer to peer i don't see me buying it. I blame demon souls for them pulling the plug on this game.....

  • HUNTER-VENOM

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 9:42 pm GMT

    I still plan on buying it but I guess I wont be going online. Also I wrote a blog about Digital Distribution and it looks like I was right. It was about all games and after time when they stop supporting the game would you lose all the online content you bought. That's one reason I wait for the Platinum edition of games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance where it had the content on the disk. I do it mostly for single player games and buy them when they get cheap but for multiplayer games it's hard to avoid because you want to play while it's fresh.

  • howlrunner13

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 9:40 pm GMT

    Well. This pretty much makes my copy of Chromehounds a paperweight. Thanks alot From. Also I like this line, "At this time, all online components for Chromehounds will no longer be accessible, and the game will only be available for play in Offline modes." What offline modes? You mean the crappy "singleplayer" mode, which has virtually no parts and pretty much zero replayability? You better be working on a Chromehounds 2.

  • supernaught360

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 9:13 pm GMT

    @X-Zer0-X001

    Well, as of this post, there were at least 23 people who cared enough about this game...

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