After six years of live service, StudioBside CEO Ryu Geum-tae has officially announced that the urban fantasy RPG CounterSide will shut down on August 26, 2026 — while simultaneously teasing a full reboot for the franchise.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CounterSide Global Launch | February 2020 |
| Cafe Strega Community Hub Closes | June 28, 2026 |
| In-app Purchases & Downloads Disabled | Already in effect |
| Final Server Shutdown | August 26, 2026 |
StudioBside CEO Confirms CounterSide End of Service
StudioBside CEO Ryu Geum-tae delivered the news directly to the game's community, marking the end of a six-year journey for the side-scrolling RPG that launched in February 2020. The announcement covers both the digital game and the physical community space tied to it.
CounterSide built a dedicated fanbase around its hard-boiled urban fantasy setting, large roster of deployable units, and deep strategic combat. Its shutdown reflects the broader challenges facing live-service mobile titles in an increasingly competitive market.
Cafe Strega Closes First, Game Follows in August
The shutdown rolls out in stages. First up is the closure of Cafe Strega, the real-world community hub associated with CounterSide, which will shut its doors on June 28, 2026. Players who frequented the space as a gathering point for events and fan activities will have only a short window remaining.
The main game servers will remain online for roughly two more months after Cafe Strega closes, giving players time to wrap up progress and enjoy the final stretch of content before the definitive shutdown on August 26.
In-Game Thank You Events During the Sunset Phase
To acknowledge the loyalty of its player base, StudioBside is running a series of farewell events throughout the game's remaining operational period. In-app purchases and new downloads have already been disabled, signaling that the game has officially entered its wind-down phase.
What players can expect during the final phase:
- 300 free Admin Coins distributed daily to all players via the in-game mailbox
- A dedicated exchange shop where Admin Coins can be spent on premium items
- In-app purchases permanently disabled to prevent new spending
- New downloads blocked as the title is removed from storefronts
- Servers operational until the final shutdown on August 26, 2026
A Reboot Is Already in Development
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the announcement is StudioBside's explicit framing of the shutdown as a pause, not a permanent goodbye. The studio confirmed it is actively working on a CounterSide Reboot Project.
No release window or platform details have been shared for the reboot at this time. However, the studio's clarity on the matter should offer some reassurance to fans — CounterSide's IP and world are not being retired alongside the current servers.
What Should CounterSide Players Do Before August 26?
With roughly two months left on the clock, here is a practical checklist for players wrapping up their time with CounterSide:
- 1 Collect daily Admin Coins — log in every day to claim your 300 free coins from the mailbox and stockpile them for the exchange shop.
- 2 Spend your Admin Coins — visit the dedicated shutdown shop and redeem coins for premium items before servers go dark on August 26.
- 3 Say goodbye in person at Cafe Strega — if you are near the real-world hub, note that it closes earlier, on June 28, 2026.
- 4 Save screenshots and memories — back up screenshots, recordings, or any fan art before the servers shut down permanently.
- 5 Follow StudioBside for reboot news — keep an eye on official channels for any updates regarding the hard-boiled reboot project.
The End of an Era, but Not the End of CounterSide
Six years is a meaningful run for any live-service mobile game, and CounterSide carved out a loyal niche with its stylish urban setting and strategic depth. While the August 26 shutdown is real and final for the current version, StudioBside's reboot announcement gives the community something to look forward to.
Whether the rebooted CounterSide can recapture — or surpass — what made the original special remains to be seen. For now, fans have until August 26 to enjoy every last moment of the game they have supported for the past six years.
