Collector’s Guide: What to Buy Before New World Is Delisted

Keep Aeternum in your library until shutdown: what to buy and how to keep access

Hook: If the thought of New World disappearing from stores gives you panic-mode FOMO, you’re not alone. With Amazon delisting New World in early 2026 and servers scheduled to go offline on January 31, 2027, collectors and players face tough choices: which digital or collector editions guarantee you official access through the shutdown, and how do you handle re-download windows and backups?

TL;DR — Immediate, practical moves

• Buy the game now from the storefront you use (Steam or Amazon Games) — only ownership on that account guarantees official re-download rights through Jan 31, 2027.
• Prefer editions that include permanent game licenses or digital extras (deluxe/collector bundles, soundtracks, artbooks) if you value retainable content after servers close.
• Backup installations and digital extras immediately (Steam backup, copy install folder, archive soundtracks and artbooks).
• Do not rely on in-game purchases after July 20, 2026 — Marks of Fortune and similar microtransactions will be stopped ahead of shutdown.
• Test re-download on your account now — make sure you can actually restore the game before you need it.

What Amazon announced (quick context you need)

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw Amazon confirm New World will be delisted from storefronts and transitioned into a final, maintenance-only phase. Servers are scheduled to shut down on January 31, 2027. The publisher has also set a cutoff for some in-game purchases: Marks of Fortune and similar currency sales stop on July 20, 2026. The company offered thanks to the community as it prepares a final season, Nighthaven, as the sendoff.

“We want to thank the players for your dedication and passion… We are grateful for the time spent crafting the world of Aeternum with you.” — New World team

That means: buying now gets you official rights to play until the shutdown date, and owners will be able to re-download through that window. After the servers go offline, the official channels typically stop offering re-downloads.

Which editions to buy: smart choices for collectors

Your buying choice depends on two priorities: (A) access to play on official servers until shutdown, and (B) keeping collectible/retainable digital or physical assets after servers go dark. Here’s how to prioritize:

1) Standard/Base edition

Best for players who only want the game license and will play through the official servers until the shutdown. It’s the cheapest way to guarantee re-download rights on your account.

2) Digital Deluxe / Collector (digital-only)

These typically include cosmetics, mounts, emotes, and sometimes digital soundtracks or artbooks. Advantages:

• Cosmetics are account-bound in most MMOs but exist as proof of purchase while the game is live.
• Digital artbooks and soundtracks are downloadable assets you can archive locally — ideal for collectors.

If you want lasting digital artifacts (music, PDFs, high-res art) that survive the server shutdown, this tier is ideal.

3) Physical collector editions

If the goal is a tangible memento — statues, artbooks, pins — physical collector editions are the safest long-term value. They aren’t tied to servers and remain collectible after the MMO closes.

Buying priority checklist

• If you only want to play until Jan 31, 2027: buy the base edition on your primary platform.
• If you want preserved digital content: buy a digital deluxe/collector edition that includes downloadable extras and archive them immediately.
• If you’re a physical collector: buy the boxed collector edition where available — these are immune to digital delisting.

Which storefront to use: Steam vs Amazon Games

New World has historically been distributed on Steam and through Amazon’s own launcher. Which you choose matters because ownership is tied to the store account.

Steam

• Most players already have Steam installed and benefit from Steam’s re-download and backup tools.
• Steam’s account ownership model makes re-download straightforward — but don’t assume perpetual access beyond publisher-defined shutdown.
• Use Steam’s backup features and retain the game files and appmanifest files to simplify future restores.

Amazon Games Launcher / Amazon account

• If you purchased through Amazon Games, keep the Amazon account credentials safe and confirm you can re-download through the Amazon Games app.
• Amazon Games’ re-download behavior is similar in practice but requires manual backing up of installation folders.

Rule of thumb: buy on the storefront you actively use and keep that account in good standing. Account recovery issues are the most common reason players lose access during delisting events.

Backup strategy (step-by-step, practical)

Buying the game is step one. Backing up is step two. Here’s a practical, platform-focused backup plan you should complete immediately after purchase.

Steam backup

1. Open Steam > Library. Right-click New World > Properties > Local Files > Browse.
2. Copy the entire game folder (SteamApps/common/New World or similar) to external storage.
3. Copy relevant .acf appmanifest files from SteamApps to the same backup location — these help Steam recognize the game later.
4. Use Steam’s built-in backup tool (Library > right-click > Backup game files) as an extra layer.
5. Archive the digital extras (soundtracks, PDFs) saved in your account page or provided download links.

Amazon Games Launcher backup

1. Locate the install folder (usually in Program Files or %LocalAppData%/Amazon Games).
2. Copy the full New World folder to external storage.
3. Back up any launcher config or registry entries recommended by Amazon support if you plan to attempt restores later.

Cloud saves and character data

Important: MMO characters and progress are server-side. You cannot fully preserve character progression, gear, or world state. Back up screenshots, logs, and video captures to preserve your memories, but accept that character data will vanish when servers close.

Testing your backups

• After a backup, uninstall the game, then attempt to restore from your backup on the same machine to verify it works.
• Test re-download from the store—if you can’t re-download, contact store support immediately and keep receipts.

Re-download windows — what to expect and how to prepare

Amazon has said owners will be able to re-download New World and continue playing up to the shutdown on January 31, 2027. That date is your firm “last day” to use official channels.

Practical re-download tips

• Keep purchase receipts, order IDs, and the store account details saved in a secure password manager.
• Do a re-download test now: uninstall and re-download to confirm your account works and download speeds are acceptable.
• Note bandwidth caps and storage needs — keep external drives ready.
• If you plan to travel or lose internet access, perform a backup first so you can play offline versions while servers are still up (offline modes are limited for MMOs but files still exist locally).

What happens after Jan 31, 2027?

Official re-download availability typically ends after servers shut down. Publishers sometimes keep installers available for a short period afterwards, but that’s not guaranteed. If you want the official re-download window guaranteed, ensure you’ve downloaded and backed up long before the shutdown.

Deals, bundles and subscription comparisons (2026 trends)

In 2026 the industry saw more publishers offering end-of-life bundles and temporary discounts during delistings to let players buy in while they can. Here’s how to think about deals:

One-time purchase vs subscription/cloud streaming

• Cloud gaming subscriptions (GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud, etc.) are governed by licensing agreements. When a publisher delists a title, cloud providers often remove the game quickly. Don’t rely on subscriptions to preserve access.
• Buying a one-time license on a storefront is the most reliable way to secure official re-download rights through the shutdown window.

Bundles and third-party keys

• Bundles (Humble, Fanatical) can offer savings but take care: keys must be redeemed on the same storefront to count toward re-download rights.
• Be wary of gray-market key resellers — they can sell region-restricted or revoked keys that won’t guarantee access later.

2026 trend: publishers offering “farewell” sales

Several publishers in late 2025–2026 ran farewell discounts and explicitly labeled end-of-life bundles. Expect similar short-term promotions around delisting windows; use them to secure deluxe content or digital extras at lower prices.

Legal & preservation notes (what collectors should know)

Game preservation is a hot topic in 2026. The community and some organizations are campaigning for better archival rights and DRM-free options. Still:

• You must respect EULAs and copyright. Archiving your own legally-purchased assets for personal use is generally tolerated, but redistribution is illegal.
• Community preservation projects exist, but they often face DMCA and licensing barriers — don’t expect community servers to be legal or stable unless the publisher licenses them.
• Requests to publishers for content release (single-player modes, offline builds, or DRM-free bundles) have increased in 2026, but outcomes vary.

Advanced collector moves

If you’re building a serious archive or physical collection, consider these pro steps:

• Buy digital soundtrack and artbook bundles separately where possible and archive high-quality files.
• Order physical collector boxes early — limited prints sell out fast when delisting news hits.
• Keep screenshots and video captures that document your characters and achievements — MMO data will be lost at shutdown.
• Export receipts and purchase data (screenshot the purchase page and store library entries) to prove ownership if you later need support.

What NOT to do

• Don’t wait for a last-minute sale — delisting-driven traffic can throttle support systems and cause checkout failures.
• Don’t assume community-hosted servers will be authorized; they can be taken down and won’t protect official re-download rights.
• Don’t buy in-game currency after the announced cutoff (July 20, 2026) — money spent won’t extend play past server shutdown.

Actionable timeline and checklist

Use this timeline to prioritize your moves.

1. Now — Buy the edition you want on your active storefront (Steam/Amazon). Archive the purchase receipt and enable two-factor authentication on that account.
2. Within 48 hours — Back up game files, downloadable extras, and test a restore.
3. By July 20, 2026 — Stop buying Marks of Fortune or similar currency; it will be disabled for sale.
4. Quarterly through 2026 — Re-test re-download and keep backups current (updates can change file structure).
5. January 31, 2027 — Final shutdown. Ensure you have all local backups and archived digital extras by this date.

Final thoughts and practical takeaways

Delistings are a stressful reality of modern games, especially MMOs. But the good news for collectors and players who want official access through the shutdown is simple:

• Buy on your primary storefront now so your account shows ownership and you can re-download through Jan 31, 2027.
• Choose digital deluxe/collector tiers if you want downloadable extras you can archive; buy physical collector editions for lasting memorabilia.
• Back up immediately and test restores — this is the step most players skip and later regret.

Resources & next steps

• Save your purchase confirmation and link accounts to a secure email.
• Download soundtracks/artbooks and store them in multiple locations (cloud + external drive).
• Join community threads on Steam and Reddit for last-minute deals, collector trades, and preservation efforts.

Call to action: Don’t wait. If you want official access to New World through January 31, 2027, pick the edition that matches your collector goals, complete the backups in this guide, and test re-downloads today. Want a downloadable checklist with exact backup commands and a sample folder map? Subscribe to our collector’s mailing list or download the free PDF from playgame.cloud to lock this process in.

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