Important update for this search: Friday the 13th: The Game is no longer purchasable or playable online. A legal dispute over the franchise’s underlying screenwriting rights led to the game’s license expiring, and developer IllFonic/publisher Gun Media removed it from sale on December 31, 2023. As of January 1, 2025, its servers were shut down entirely, meaning even existing owners can no longer play its core online multiplayer modes. This guide explains exactly what happened and what remains possible today.
Why the Game Died
- Friday the 13th: The Game launched in 2017, developed by IllFonic and published by Gun Media, built around asymmetrical multiplayer between counselors and Jason Voorhees.
- A legal dispute arose over the film franchise’s underlying screenwriting and directing rights, which put a freeze on new content for years.
- The game’s rights to the Friday the 13th license expired at the end of 2023, forcing its removal from digital storefronts on December 31, 2023.
- The playlist and matchmaking systems that powered its multiplayer were shut down entirely as of January 1, 2025, making the core game mode unplayable even for existing owners.
What’s Still Possible Today
- Offline solo play: If you already own a copy, some limited single-player content may still function without needing online servers.
- Nothing new to buy: There’s no official way to purchase the game anymore on any platform.
- Similar games instead: Titles like Dead by Daylight offer a similar asymmetrical horror multiplayer format and remain actively supported on Steam.
A Word on “Free Download” Sites
Because the game is no longer officially sold and its servers are shut down, some sites claim to offer “free” installers or “private server” versions. These aren’t authorized by IllFonic or Gun Media, and the underlying legal rights dispute makes any such distribution legally murky at best — beyond the malware risk that comes with installers from unofficial sources generally.
Pros and Cons of the Current Situation
✅ If you already own it
- Limited offline content may still be accessible
❌ For everyone else
- Cannot be purchased new anywhere
- Core online multiplayer is permanently shut down
- No legal path to the full original experience remains
Availability by Platform
🖥️ PC / PlayStation / Xbox / Switch
Delisted since December 2023; online servers shut down as of January 2025.
Who Should — and Shouldn’t — Look for This
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy Friday the 13th: The Game?
No, it was removed from sale on December 31, 2023, due to an expired franchise license tied to an underlying legal dispute.
Can existing owners still play online?
No, the game’s online servers were shut down as of January 1, 2025.
Is it safe to use a “free download” or private server site?
No, these aren’t authorized by the developer or publisher and carry both legal and malware risks.
What should I play instead?
Dead by Daylight offers a similar asymmetrical horror multiplayer format and remains actively supported on Steam.
Will the game ever come back?
There’s no indication of this — the underlying rights dispute has not been reported as resolved.
This page is written for informational purposes to clarify Friday the 13th: The Game’s real current availability. It does not link to or endorse any unofficial “free download” or private server sources.
