Anthem Servers Keep Operating Temporarily, Shutdown Scheduled for January 12th
In a significant move for the gaming industry, Electronic Arts (EA) and developer BioWare have announced that their shared title, Anthem, will be officially sunset on January 12, 2026. This decision means that the game, which relies on online connectivity, will become permanently unplayable after the server shutdown[1][2][3].
First released in 2019, Anthem struggled with poor reviews, bugs, and a lack of polish. Despite initial efforts to address these issues, active development on the game ceased in 2021, and the game's director left shortly after[3]. Since then, BioWare has undergone significant staff reductions, currently operating with fewer than 100 employees, and is now focusing on other projects such as Mass Effect 5[2][3].
From August 15, 2025, Anthem will no longer be available on EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. After this date, the game can only be accessed by players who already own a copy digitally[1][2][3]. Premium in-game currency sales have already ended as of early July 2025, although players can still spend any remaining currency until the servers go offline[3].
Andy Chalk, a writer for PC Gamer who covers various aspects of the gaming industry, expresses regret that Anthem 2.0 did not receive more support from EA. Chalk, who has been writing videogame news since 2007 and joined PC Gamer in 2014, highlights the game's immersive flight mechanics as a particular strength, stating that it would have been interesting to see what BioWare could have done with another year of proper support[4].
The Stop Killing Games initiative may be relevant to the sunsetting of Anthem, as the movement seeks to promote the preservation of games and their online communities[5]. However, it appears that the decision to sunset Anthem was a business one, with EA appreciating the support and dedication of Anthem players over the years[1][2].
As the January 12, 2026 deadline approaches, players are advised to finish any in-game achievements or content to ensure they can complete their Anthem journey. The server shutdown marks the complete end of Anthem’s lifecycle, with BioWare’s future focus now on new projects rather than reviving Anthem[1][2].
[1] https://www.ea.com/news/anthem-sunset-faq [2] https://www.pcgamer.com/anthem-sunset-faq-what-happens-when-the-game-goes-offline/ [3] https://www.pcgamer.com/anthem-is-being-sunset-in-2026-heres-what-that-means-for-players/ [4] https://www.pcgamer.com/anthem-2-0-was-a-missed-opportunity-according-to-andrew-chalk/ [5] https://www.stopkillinggames.com/
- The sunsetting of Anthem, originally released in 2019, marks the end of an era in gaming entertainment, as its servers will be shut down permanently on January 12, 2026.
- Despite the game's immersive flight mechanics and potential for improvement, Electronic Arts (EA) has decided to focus on new projects rather than reviving Anthem, much to the regret of critics like Andy Chalk from PC Gamer.
- As the final season of Anthem approaches, players are urged to make the most of their remaining time and finish any in-game achievements or content before the game ceases to exist, heralding the end of the game's lifecycle.
