Retailers, Refunds, and In-Game Currency: How New World’s Delisting Affects Purchases

If you’ve bought New World, spent on Marks of Fortune, or rely on a storefront for your gaming library, this delisting affects you — here’s exactly what to do next.

Delisting news and shutdown timelines cause two immediate player pains: fear of losing paid value (especially in-game currency) and uncertainty about refunds or re-downloads. In early 2026 Amazon confirmed New World: Aeternum has been delisted and will be taken offline on January 31, 2027. In-game currency sales (Marks of Fortune) stop on July 20, 2026, and Amazon has stated refunds will not be offered for those currency purchases. This guide cuts through the noise with practical steps, legal context, and tactical advice so you can protect what you own and plan smartly for the shutdown.

Quick facts (the most important info up front)

• Delisting: New World has been removed from storefronts — you can’t buy it anymore.
• Servers live until: January 31, 2027 — owners can play until then.
• Marks of Fortune: Purchases stop July 20, 2026; Amazon says refunds for Marks will not be offered.
• Re-downloads: Players who previously purchased the game can re-download it up until the shutdown date.

What "delisted" means — and what it doesn’t

Delisting is simply the storefront action that removes a title from sale. It is distinct from a server shutdown or account deletion. When a game is delisted:

• The title is no longer available to new buyers on the storefront(s).
• Existing license holders typically retain access — but that access depends on the publisher’s plan.
• In-game purchases (microtransactions) can be halted or grandfathered, depending on the publisher.

For New World, the publisher has done all three: removed the game from sale, scheduled a server shutdown for 2027, and announced a cut-off for currency purchases in July 2026. That combination creates a defined window for action.

Why this matters for in-game currency (Marks of Fortune)

In-game currency is a unique digital good: you pay real money now for virtual value that depends on live services. When the service ends, that currency typically loses utility.

• Before the currency cutoff (July 20, 2026): You can still buy Marks of Fortune. But buying more creates risk: the currency will be useless after servers go offline in January 2027.
• After the cutoff: Purchases are blocked. Existing balances remain usable inside the live game until shutdown, unless the publisher says otherwise.
• Refund policy: Amazon’s announcement specifically says refunds will not be offered for Marks purchases. That’s a policy decision publishers can make; whether consumer protection laws override it depends on jurisdiction.

Legal & consumer-rights context (2026 update)

Regulators worldwide increased scrutiny of digital goods and subscription fairness in late 2025 and early 2026. Consumer protection agencies have been clarifying expectations for transparency and refunds when digital services vanish — but there is no universal rule that forces publishers to refund digital currency simply because a service is shut down.

Important jurisdictional notes:

• European Union: EU digital consumer protections emphasize clear pre-purchase information. If a publisher misrepresented availability or failed to disclose an imminent end-of-service, regulators may intervene.
• United States: Protections vary by state and case law; chargebacks or disputes through your payment method are common consumer remedies.
• Other regions: Check local digital sales and refund regulations — some countries require refunds for defective digital goods.

Bottom line: policy statements from publishers matter a lot, but you still have options — documented below — if you believe you have a strong consumer claim.

Immediate steps every New World owner should take (action checklist)

1. Stop buying Marks of Fortune after July 20, 2026. With no refunds available, avoid spending more real money on currency that has a known expiry tied to the server shutdown.
2. Use what you have. Plan how to spend remaining Marks before January 31, 2027 — prioritize items or content you get immediate value from (cosmetics, mount time, boosts) rather than long-term holdings.
3. Document purchases and balances. Take screenshots of your inventory, transaction receipts (email and store purchase history), and account balances. This creates proof if you pursue a dispute or refund later.
4. Preserve account access. Don’t request refunds for the base game or delete your account. If you bought New World, keeping the license ensures you can re-download and play until shutdown.
5. Back up local content. Save screenshots, video, and any local configs you want to keep as memories — MMOs rarely have client-side saves that survive shutdown, but media is yours to keep.
6. Read the publisher’s official notice. Keep the Amazon/New World announcement handy; it’s the baseline for any support conversation or consumer complaint.

How to approach refunds and disputes (practical escalation path)

Amazon’s statement says there will be no refunds for Marks of Fortune. If you still believe you have grounds for a refund — for example, misrepresentation or an interrupted purchase — follow this escalation path:

1. Contact in-game/publisher support first. Open a ticket with Amazon Games support. Attach receipts and a concise explanation of the request (see template below).
2. Contact the storefront/payment provider. If you bought via Steam, Epic, or a console store, check their microtransaction and refund policies and open a dispute if the publisher refuses to help.
3. Contact your bank or card issuer. If you believe the charge is unfair or misrepresented, a chargeback is a last-resort measure — it can work, but it may have consequences (account restrictions with the publisher/store).
4. Escalate to consumer protection bodies. If you’re in the EU or another region with digital consumer protections and you think the publisher violated the law, file a complaint with your national consumer authority.

Customer support template (copy, paste, and edit)

Hi Amazon Games Support, I’m contacting you about my Marks of Fortune purchases for New World (Account: [your email/userID]). I understand the game is being delisted and servers will close on January 31, 2027, and that the store will stop selling Marks on July 20, 2026. I purchased [amount] of Marks on [date(s)] (Transaction IDs: [IDs]). I’m requesting [refund/a partial credit/explanation] because [state your reason: e.g., the announced shutdown materially changes the value of purchased currency]. Attached are screenshots of my account balance and receipts. Please advise next steps and confirm whether a refund or store credit is possible. Thank you, [Your name]

What to expect from different storefronts (Steam, Amazon Games, consoles)

Store policies vary. Here’s how to approach each:

• Amazon Games Store: Publisher-run storefront; Amazon’s decision governs both sales and currency purchases. Their public announcement is the main policy reference; support tickets should cite that notice.
• Steam: Valve’s refund policy is buyer-friendly for base game purchases (within 14 days and under 2 hours playtime), but microtransaction rules are different and often depend on the publisher. Steam usually allows re-downloads for previously purchased titles, but rely on the publisher’s shutdown schedule.
• Console stores (PlayStation, Xbox): Consoles have their own refund windows and processes for digital purchases. If you purchased through a console storefront, follow that platform’s dispute flow and cite the publisher announcement.

Advanced strategy: if you want value, convert it to experience

Because currency becomes worthless after server shutdown, think of Marks as a limited-time entertainment purchase. Convert that value into experiences you’ll actually enjoy and remember:

• Buy cosmetics you’ll wear and capture screenshots or clips of. Consider using guides from hybrid photo workflows to capture high-quality memories.
• Invest in community events or giveaways in-game that give immediate social value.
• Use Marks to unlock content you can consume during the remaining play window (battle passes, limited-time content).

It’s a pragmatic shift: accept the finite lifespan and prioritize memorable or consumable value over hoarded balances.

If you’re a new buyer — is trying New World worth it?

Only if you understand the constraints. New World is delisted, and the servers will close in 2027. If you want to play through the remaining time for fun, social reasons, or to experience the end-of-service events, grab it only if the price is right and you expect short-term play. Avoid buying if you expect long-term investment or if the only value is in new currency purchases.

Storefronts, bundles, and subscriptions — comparative considerations (Deals & Bundles angle)

When a game is delisted, bundle and subscription buyers face specific questions:

• Bundle buyers: If New World was part of a bundle you purchased, check the bundle terms. Bundled content usually follows the publisher’s delisting and shutdown timeline — you still own the bundle components until the servers close.
• Subscription services: If any subscription included New World access (e.g., a historical promotion), access will end when the publisher shutters servers. Subscription services that offer rotating catalog access do not usually provide refunds for removed titles; however, subscription fees cover the broader service.
• Deal hunters in 2026: The delisting trend means you should weigh short-term access against long-term ownership. Stores increasingly notify buyers of limited-time availability — take advantage of clear notice windows to plan purchases.

Trends & predictions for delistings in 2026 and beyond

Two industry-wide forces are shaping how delistings will work going forward:

1. Greater transparency and advance notice: After several high-profile shutdowns through 2024–2025, publishers are now giving longer, clearer windows before removing sales and shutting servers. New World’s staged approach (delist now, stop currency sales mid-2026, server shutdown Jan 2027) is a template we expect more studios to follow.
2. Regulatory attention on digital goods: Governments and consumer agencies intensified focus on digital refunds in late 2025 and early 2026. That will likely push publishers to adopt clearer policies around in-game currency and refunds — but changes will be incremental and region-specific.

Common questions — FAQs

Will New World owners be able to re-download the client after delisting?

Yes. Amazon confirmed that people who purchased the game can re-download and keep playing until servers close on January 31, 2027. After that date re-downloadability depends on the store’s archival policy, but servers being offline is the main limiting factor for play.

Can I get a refund for Marks of Fortune?

Amazon has stated refunds will not be offered for Marks purchases. If you believe you have exceptional grounds (fraudulent charge, billing error, misrepresentation), follow the escalation path above starting with publisher support, then your payment provider, and finally consumer protection agencies.

What if I bought New World through Steam or another storefront?

Ownership and re-download rules depend on where you purchased. Steam generally honors past purchases and allows re-downloads; however, microtransaction refunds depend on both the storefront and publisher. Document everything and follow the storefront’s refund guidelines if you’re pursuing a dispute.

Case study: How to act if you have 10,000 Marks and the shutdown is six months away

Scenario: You have 10,000 Marks (a meaningful balance) and servers close in January 2027. Practical steps:

1. Inventory the value: list what you can buy with 10,000 Marks and estimate how much you’ll realistically use before shutdown.
2. Spend on consumables and cosmetics first — items you can use within the remaining timeframe.
3. Document your balance and transactions (screenshots and email receipts). Use a simple document workflow or CRM-style archival if you want a durable record.
4. If you disagree with the no-refund stance, open a support ticket, then consider your payment provider options.

Final takeaways — what to do right now

• Don’t panic — act pragmatically. You have a clear timeline; use it.
• Stop buying Marks after the cutoff. Don’t add risk by increasing your exposure to a sunset service.
• Document everything. Receipts, screenshots, and transaction IDs are essential if you need to dispute charges.
• Use your Marks on short-term, high-value experiences. Cosmetics, events, and immediate content beats hoarding.
• Escalate smartly. Start with publisher support and move to storefronts, card issuers, or consumer agencies only if necessary.

Want help drafting a refund/dispute message or comparing storefront policies?

We can help you craft messages, check the fine print for Steam/Amazon/console stores, and map your escalation options based on your country’s consumer protection framework. Keep your receipts and we’ll walk through the next steps together.

Call to action: If you own New World or Marks of Fortune, export your purchase history and join our free troubleshooting thread at PlayGame.Cloud — we’ll review your receipts and draft a support message tailored to your platform and jurisdiction. Don’t lose track of paid value: act before July 20, 2026.

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