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How Rules of Survival Closed Their Game – The Rise and Fall of a Battle Royale Pioneer

1K View2025-03-24

Rules of Survival (RoS) was once one of the most popular battle royale games in the mobile gaming scene. Developed by NetEase, it arrived before PUBG Mobile and Fortnite dominated the platform, offering a large-scale battle royale experience for players worldwide. However, despite its early success, RoS officially shut down on June 27, 2022, marking the end of its journey. What led to the closure of this once-thriving game?

The Rise of Rules of Survival

Launched in November 2017, Rules of Survival quickly gained attention for its 100+ player battle royale format on mobile devices. It provided an experience similar to PUBG but was available before PUBG Mobile officially launched. With smooth gameplay, diverse weapons, and massive maps, RoS became a go-to battle royale game, particularly for players who couldn’t access PUBG on mobile or PC.

The game expanded further with a 300-player mode, setting it apart from other battle royales. It reached over 230 million downloads worldwide, showing its massive appeal in its prime.

The Beginning of the Decline

Despite its strong start, RoS faced multiple challenges that slowly eroded its player base:

1. Legal Issues with PUBG Corp

PUBG Corp filed a copyright lawsuit against NetEase in 2018, claiming that Rules of Survival and another NetEase game, Knives Out, copied PUBG’s gameplay mechanics and design. Although the case was eventually settled, the controversy damaged RoS's reputation.

2. Rise of PUBG Mobile and Free Fire

When PUBG Mobile was officially released in March 2018, many players left RoS for a more polished and authentic battle royale experience. Additionally, Garena Free Fire gained massive popularity, especially in regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America, drawing away even more of RoS’s player base.

3. Cheating and Poor Security

RoS struggled with a significant cheating problem. Hackers used aimbots, wall hacks, and speed cheats, making matches frustrating for legitimate players. NetEase’s anti-cheat efforts weren’t enough to stop the problem, and many players quit due to the unfair gameplay environment.

4. Lack of Innovation and Updates

While competitors like PUBG Mobile and Free Fire constantly introduced new content, modes, and collaborations, RoS struggled to keep up. Updates became less frequent, and the game’s graphics and mechanics started feeling outdated.

5. Server Issues and Player Decline

As the player base shrank, server quality declined. Matchmaking took longer, and many players reported lag and connection issues. NetEase eventually merged some servers to compensate for the lower player count, but this only delayed the inevitable.

The Closure Announcement

On April 27, 2022, NetEase officially announced that Rules of Survival would shut down on June 27, 2022. The developers stated that the decision was due to "operational adjustments", but most players believed it was caused by the game’s declining revenue and player base.

In its final months, NetEase stopped releasing new content, and in-game purchases were disabled. Long-time players had a chance to enjoy their last matches before the servers shut down permanently.

Legacy of Rules of Survival

Despite its closure, Rules of Survival remains an important part of battle royale history. It was one of the first games to bring large-scale battle royale gameplay to mobile, paving the way for PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and other titles. Many players still remember RoS fondly for its unique moments and massive-scale battles.

While the game is gone, its influence on mobile gaming can still be felt today.

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