The post-apocalyptic world of Defiance lives again. The cult-favorite MMO looter shooter has officially returned to PC, marking a surprising revival nearly four years after its shutdown.
Originally developed by Trion Worlds and launched in April 2013 as a premium title for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, Defiance made waves for its ambitious crossover with the Syfy TV series of the same name. Just over a year later, the game went free-to-play, building a dedicated fanbase drawn to its unique fusion of third-person shooter gameplay and MMO systems.
A reimagined version, Defiance 2050, launched in 2018 but was poorly received, becoming one of the lowest-rated free-to-play titles of its time. After Trion Worlds was acquired by Gamigo, both versions of the game were taken offline in April 2021—seemingly for good.
That changed in March 2025, when new publisher Fawkes Games announced it had acquired the rights to Defiance, promising a fresh start. Just weeks later, on April 18, Defiance officially came back online for PC players.
Limited Release—for Now
As of now, Defiance can only be downloaded directly from Fawkes Games’ website. There’s no word yet on whether the title will return to platforms like Steam or other PC storefronts, but fans are hopeful.
The revived version retains its classic mechanics—large-scale battles, fast-paced looting, and deep character progression—while focusing on stability and preserving the original experience that longtime players loved.
A Nostalgic Comeback for MMO Fans
This return is a nostalgic blast from the past for many players who fondly remember battling Arkfalls and teaming up in a richly detailed, post-apocalyptic world. While there’s no console support (yet), the PC relaunch is breathing new life into a game that once felt truly lost to time.