Microsoft killing off Gears Pop! mobile game after less than two years

Microsoft is killing off its mobile game based on the Gears of War franchise, Gears Pop! The announcement was made through the game's official website.

The game's servers will be shut down on April 26, 2021, and until then, some of the events that have been available in the past are coming back, with Bounty rewards being increased and higher drop rates for Legendary Pins. However, in-game purchases are disabled effective immediately, and refunds will be issued for purchases made in the past 90 days.

Microsoft first announced that the Gears of War franchise would be making its way to mobile devices at E3 2018, and the game launched in May of 2019. It features many of the well-known characters in the franchise, but they're depicted with designs based on those of the Pop! figures by Funko. Many of those designs also turned into real-life figures shortly after the game launched.

As to why the game is shutting down, Microsoft simply says it's no longer feasible to keep maintaining the development of the game. Presumably, the title wasn't as big of a success as the company would have wanted.