Blaseball, the horror baseball simulation game that gained internet fame, is permanently shutting down. The game, developed by The Game Band and initially launched on July 20, 2020, was a unique take on baseball, blending elements of horror and absurdism. It ran weekly seasons of the “Internet League Blaseball,” alongside Sunday elections where community members could manipulate the game’s rules. Along with non-player characters like the league’s owner and commissioner, the game crafted an absurdist horror narrative through dialogue both on the website and through Twitter accounts.
The Game Band, in an emotional announcement on Medium, disclosed their difficult decision to discontinue Blaseball. They explained the unsustainability of maintaining the game’s original essence while ensuring the financial stability of the team and the well-being of their staff.
In the announcement, the team stated, “Blaseball isn’t sustainable to run. Since Blaseball’s inception, we’ve been fighting against the amount of work it takes to keep Blaseball true to itself while financially supporting the team and keeping our staff healthy… The cost, literally and metaphorically, is too high.”
The developers described the inevitable change in the team size as a significant loss, expressing their remorse over the departure of so many essential team members. They praised these departing individuals for their impactful contributions to the game.
The birth of Blaseball during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic was noted, underscoring its continuous, free access for all. It was a game, a social experiment, and an improvisational experience, designed to reflect the world’s realities, including its horrors.
The Game Band further emphasized the objective of Blaseball as a means to foster connections amid global chaos. They expressed gratitude to the fans who became a part of this unique journey, enduring apocalyptic events and defying Gods and death.
“We are providing as much support as we can to those affected by the layoffs: severance, healthcare extensions, and job search resources with a dedicated staff member for job placement,” the team affirmed. They further extended an invitation to those hiring to consider the talented individuals affected by this closure.
The team concluded their announcement with a heartfelt thank you to all who were a part of Blaseball’s unique journey. Despite their devastation, they shared their hopes for a future project that would once again unite their supportive community.
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