EA Shuts Down Anthem Servers, Ending Online Gameplay
Electronic Arts (EA) has officially pulled the plug on Anthem, their troubled online-only multiplayer action game. As a result, players can no longer access the game’s servers, rendering it completely unplayable. Despite calls from fans, there are no plans to introduce an offline mode to Anthem, marking the end of an era in online gaming. This decision was announced by EA back in July, giving players a six-month window to enjoy the game before the servers were shut down.
Anthem, which was launched on February 22, 2019, faced numerous challenges right from the start. The game suffered from major performance issues, causing significant delays in the Act 1 roadmap. BioWare, the game’s developer, remained relatively silent as they worked to address these issues and unlock Anthem’s full potential. Reports also surfaced about development troubles during the game’s creation, shedding light on the challenges faced behind the scenes. Consequently, the game’s first major event, Cataclysm, was delayed by six months following its launch.
In February 2020, BioWare announced plans to “reinvent” Anthem through a project called Anthem NEXT. This initiative aimed to revamp the gameplay loop and overall experience of the game by removing seasons and introducing new content. However, these plans never came to fruition as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, disrupting normal operations. The resulting lockdowns and restrictions slowed down development progress, leading EA to make the difficult decision to halt all future updates for Anthem.
Despite efforts to salvage the game, the impact of the pandemic and ongoing challenges ultimately led to the demise of Anthem. Players who once soared through its virtual skies are now left with memories of a game that failed to meet its potential. As the gaming community reflects on Anthem’s journey, it serves as a cautionary tale of the complexities and uncertainties in the world of online gaming.
Source: EA
