Square Enix game streaming service Core Online taken offline

Square Enix-developed streaming service Core Online has been taken offline just 18 months after it first launched, according to the company.

An announcement on the publisher's support page states Core Online "was released as an experiment to see what demand there would be for HD games played via the browser. However, due to limited commercial take-up of this initiative, Core Online closed on Friday 29th November 2013."

The streaming service, which allowed users to stream games through their browser, included the option to buy individual games, pay a monthly subscription of $2.99, or play titles for free for up to 20 minutes every day. Available games included Hitman: Blood Money, Tomb Raider: Underworld and Mini Ninjas.

Those whose subscription remained valid until the service's closure will receive a full refund for their most recent subscription payment. Square Enix adds that users whose subscription periods expired prior to Nov. 29 will not be entitled to a refund, however.

Square Enix states it has "no plans to reopen this service."