EA has confirmed that it will soon shut down the Anthem servers. The game was originally released on February 22, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Developed by BioWare, known for narrative-driven RPGs, Anthem is an action-oriented, online-only third-person co-op shooter, and it did not perform well upon release. Let’s find out when and why the Anthem servers will be shut down.
Anthem Servers Shutdown
EA has shut down around 60 games over the past two years, including 6 Battlefield titles, 8 FIFA titles, 5 F1 games, and more. Now, it’s time for Anthem. EA has confirmed that the Anthem servers will shut down on January 12, 2026. BioWare even tried to revive the game but was unable to reverse the damage. Since 2021, the game has received no new content, which made it clear that the shutdown was inevitable. Many players also believe the game is shutting down permanently.
Players can no longer purchase the in-game currency for Anthem, as EA and BioWare have ended sales of it. However, those who already have it can spend it before the game is shut down in 2026. Currently, the game is available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play, so this is the last chance to play it. It will be removed from both services on August 15, 2025.
This announcement comes amid widespread layoffs at Microsoft’s Xbox division, resulting in the cancellation of the first-person shooter Perfect Dark Reboot and the shutdown of its developer, The Initiative. You can learn more about this cancellation here.
Reasons for Anthem Servers’ Shutdown
The reasons behind shutting down Anthem’s servers include:
- Low Player Count: Many players quit early due to a lack of fun and variety.
- Poor Sales: The game didn’t meet sales expectations and didn’t generate enough revenue.
- Canceled Update Plan: The major update called Anthem NEXT was canceled, ending hopes of fixing the game.
- High Server Costs: Maintaining online servers is costly, and not enough players use them.
- Game Engine Problems: Technical issues caused by the game’s engine.
- Focus on Other Games: BioWare shifted focus to titles like Dragon Age and Mass Effect.
- Gameplay Issues: Players were unhappy with the loot system, bugs, and weak story, leading many to leave.
Summary
EA will shut down Anthem’s servers on January 12, 2026. The game struggled post-launch, losing many players early on. It suffered from poor sales, bugs, and a lack of content. A major update was canceled, and no new content was released for a long time. BioWare moved on to other projects. Players can no longer buy in-game currency but can spend what they already have. Anthem will also be removed from EA Play and Game Pass on August 15, 2025.
Is this a fitting end, or does the game deserve another shot? Let us know in the comments below. And for more gaming news, guides, tips, and more, check out Driffle Blog.
