After hardware, games are now affected too: The AI boom shows new side effects

It seems the memory crisis is no longer only affecting hardware prices and availability, but is now also having a direct impact on games and their online modes. The relatively new RTS Stormgate is losing all online features. The reason is that the game’s server host has been taken over by an AI company.

Stormgate host Hathora was acquired by Fireworks AI in March 2026. On its website, Hathora has since stated that it will discontinue its offerings in the gaming sector. At the same time, Hathora points existing customers to GameFabric by Nitrado as a migration partner. For Stormgate, however, this interim solution apparently is not enough. According to developer Frost Giant, the end of Hathora’s service will result in the shutdown of the multiplayer modes. The studio plans to patch the game so it can continue to run offline. Frost Giant also says that a return of the online mode will only be possible if a new partner is found for ongoing operations.

A game like Stormgate is being hit particularly hard by this development. It launched in August 2025, after roughly a year in beta, as a major RTS hopeful from former Blizzard developers and was financed with millions through Kickstarter and additional investors. However, the big breakthrough never came. The loss of its online features could now become the final major blow that causes its already low player numbers to collapse for good.

But a scenario like this is not limited to games that were already struggling. Smaller studios in particular often outsource hosting, matchmaking and network technology to cut costs. That also makes them vulnerable. If a provider is acquired or shifts its business direction, it can have immediate consequences for live-service games. Given the current AI boom, it is entirely possible that this could happen more often in the future. Demand for AI infrastructure is currently high and may simply be more lucrative for providers than traditional game hosting.