EA Shuts Down Need for Speed Rivals Servers

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that it will shut down the servers of Need for Speed Rivals on August 31, 2025. The decision will affect all players of the PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 versions. With the closure, the online features of the game, including multiplayer mode and AllDrive, will become inaccessible. This measure, although expected for older games, impacts the longevity of a title released almost a decade ago and raises questions about the preservation of games with online components.

The shutdown of Need for Speed Rivals servers is negative news for the loyal player base, who will lose access to the game's online features.

Starting on August 31, 2025, the online features of Need for Speed Rivals will be disabled. This includes AllDrive, the system that seamlessly integrates single-player and multiplayer experiences, allowing friends to join and leave game sessions without interruptions. In addition, online leaderboards and any other feature that relies on connection to EA servers will cease to function. The offline versions of the game will remain playable, but without the interaction that defined much of the Rivals experience.

Need for Speed Rivals was developed by Ghost Games in partnership with Criterion Games and released in November 2013 for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and as a launch title for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game was praised for its graphics and seamless integration between single-player and multiplayer, but also criticized for its lack of innovation compared to previous titles in the franchise.

Server shutdowns are a common practice in the industry for older games, as companies reallocate resources to newer titles. However, for players who still enjoy Rivals, the news represents the loss of a significant part of the experience, especially the social and competitive aspect.

EA has a history of shutting down servers for older games, a practice that sparks debates about the preservation of digital games. While companies like Xbox have faced criticism for their decisions to close studios and carry out mass layoffs, server shutdowns directly affect the access and longevity of titles. In early 2025, EA also announced the closure of F1 2021 servers, demonstrating a consistent policy of focusing resources on newer games.

This industry trend highlights the fragility of online components in games and the need to consider the lifespan of these services. For fans of Need for Speed Rivals, the final deadline of August 31, 2025, is a reminder to make the most of the remaining time with the game's online features.