Anthem: EA Closes Servers in January 2026
Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the definitive closure of Anthem servers starting in January 2026. The decision marks the end of one of BioWare and EA's most troubled releases, as they unsuccessfully tried to revitalize the looter shooter with the Anthem Next project. The server shutdown means that the game will become completely unplayable, as it does not have an offline mode.
The end of Anthem is a stark reminder of the risks of service games that fail to capture a sustainable player base and the fragility of digital ownership when tied to constant connectivity.
Anthem was launched in February 2019 with great hype, promising a science fiction world with customizable Javelin armors and dynamic aerial combat. However, the game was met with severe criticism for its repetitive gameplay, technical issues, flawed progression, and shallow story. Despite being one of the best-selling games at launch, player retention dropped drastically in the following weeks.
In an effort to save the game, BioWare and EA announced in February 2020 the Anthem Next project, an ambitious revision of the gameplay, story, and systems of the game. The idea was to relaunch Anthem with substantial improvements, aiming to learn from the mistakes of the original release. However, in February 2021, EA and BioWare announced the cancellation of Anthem Next, stating that the development was not sustainable and that resources would be redirected to other BioWare franchises, such as Dragon Age and Mass Effect.
The decision to shut down the servers in January 2026 is the logical conclusion of this process. Players will no longer be able to access the game, not even the content they purchased, reinforcing the debate about digital ownership and the global campaign "Stop Killing Games", which aims to protect access to online games after support ends.
About the game
Anthem
- Release date: February 22, 2019
- Developer(s): BioWare
- Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
- Game mode(s): Multiplayer
- Platform(s): PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Comments
Log in to your account or create one for free on MG Community to participate in comments.