Sad news, ARMYs. BTS WORLD, the mobile game dedicated to the world-renowned K-pop group BTS, will cease its services by the end of December this year. 

On Tuesday, September 5, Netmarble, the company behind the game, announced the impending shutdown of BTS WORLD.  “Thank you for your love and support for BTS WORLD,” they told the users. 

 

“This announcement is to inform that BTS WORLD will be discontinuing its service starting Tuesday, December 26 2023.”, the statement read.

More details about the service termination schedule and rules were mentioned in the post. As of writing, the game is no longer downloadable on Play Store or App Store.

“We greatly appreciate the support and love shown by the Managers towards our game,” Netmarble said. Additionally, they also assured users that they will make sure to minimize the conveniences until the service closes.

First launched in June 2019, BTS WORLD is a story-based mobile simulation game. In it, fans step into the shoes of BTS’ manager where they guide the members from pre-debut to stardom. Moreover, the game featured original soundtrack, exclusive video clip, and new photos of the BTS members.

 

The decision to shut down the game came after the release of its final chapter, Chapter 22, was made available in June 2022. 

 ARMYs’ requests

Sadly, BTS WORLD isn’t the first BTS game to come to an end. In June 2020, Superstar BTS also concluded its services despite the global fandom’s massive support. 

Upon hearing the news of another game closing, ARMYs pleaded with the company to archive BTS’ content created for the game. Given how well-thought of the flow of the game is, some fans are claiming it would be a shame to lose it all. 

As a way to remember the game, some fans created a thread of BTS WORLD’s full story lines, including its stunning soundtrack.

“Please consider creating an archive for all the artist-made content included in the game. it would be a shame to lose all of that for good especially after all the hard work the artists put into it and how much love ARMYs have for all the material,” one fan wrote.

 

Others, meanwhile, thanked the game and its developers. Some fans listed the amount of content that fans got from the platform. While many were applauding how the game gave them “another part of the BTS multiverse storytelling.” 

BTS made their debut in June 2013 with the single “2 COOL 4 SKOOL.” The septet has since established world records and even entered the Guinness World Records Hall of Fame.

In June 2022, the group announced that they’re taking a break to focus on solo releases while other members enlist in the military. 

They marked their 10th anniversary in 2023 with the release of their book Beyond The Story: 10th Year Record of BTS 

Featured image: BTS in their promotional content for the ‘BTS WORLD’ game app. Credit: Twitter/Newmarble