![[EXCLUSIVE] Katsuhiro Harada Opens Up About VS Studio, SNK, and What Comes Next](https://cdn.gamerbraves.com/2026/05/Harada-VS-Studio_Interview_FI-1-360x180.jpg)
Deluxe Games announced on January 26 that its team battle game OUTRANKERS will end service on February 27 at 2:00 PM JST. The game launched on November 6, 2024 for iOS and Android, meaning it will close after only three months of operation.
OUTRANKERS began as a project teased years ago on Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube channel before being officially announced in July 2024. After running a beta test, the game launched in early November and was operated on a seasonal basis. However, on January 13, Cave, the parent company of Deluxe Games, reported that the game was causing massive losses and announced they were considering ending service early. Two weeks later, the shutdown was confirmed.
【お知らせ】
いつも『#アウトランカーズ』をプレイいただき、ありがとうございます。
この度、『OUTRANKERS』のサービスを2026年2月27日(金) 14時00分をもちまして終了させていただくことになりました。サービス終了に伴う詳細日程は以下お知らせをご確認ください。https://t.co/JuA8NSuuy4
— OUTRANKERS（アウトランカーズ）公式 (@outrankers) January 26, 2026
According to the official announcement, the developers created OUTRANKERS with the goal of “reimagining competitive gaming.” However, they concluded that the game’s current live-service model made it difficult to meet the quality standards that players expected. The announcement ended with an apology to players and thanks for their time with the game.
OUTRANKERS is a 3v3v3 action mobile game where three teams of three players compete against each other. The game featured several notable industry veterans, including former Capcom developers Yoshiki Okamoto, Noritaka Funamizu (Super Street Fighter II, Street Fighter Alpha), and Akira Nishitani (Street Fighter II, Final Fight) in key roles. Well-known composers Yoko Shimomura (Street Fighter II, Kingdom Hearts series) and Tetsuya Komuro (Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie) created music for the game.
Players who purchased paid diamonds will be able to request refunds for any unused amounts after the service ends. Refund requests must be submitted through the app, so players are advised not to uninstall the game. Details about the refund process will be shared at a later date. Sales of paid diamonds and premium passes have already been stopped, though any diamonds earned or purchased before the store closure can still be used until the shutdown. OUTRANKERS remains available as a free-to-play game on iOS and Android until service ends on February 27 at 2:00 PM JST.
