UK's New Online Safety Law Forces Shutdown of 20-Year-Old Browser Game

A free-to-play text-based MMO browser game, Urban Dead, is set to close just before its 20th anniversary due to the UK's newly introduced Online Safety Act. According to a statement from developer Kevan Davis, the law poses a significant threat to solo web projects like Urban Dead, as it applies to all social and gaming websites with user interaction and imposes substantial fines. Davis expressed his reluctance to shut down the game, citing the legislative change as the primary reason. The game will officially close on March 14, 2025, with its wiki being set to read-only. Players who made donations in the past six months can request a refund, and Davis hinted at a potential revival or spin-off in the future.