Anthem's Finally Getting the Plug Pulled: BioWare's Multiplayer Experiment Ending in 2026
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
BioWare's Anthem is officially shutting down in January 2026, marking the end of a rocky journey for the multiplayer shooter and leaving players with a cautionary tale about live-service gaming.
Right, so BioWare's Anthem, remember that one? The one that promised to be a Destiny-killer but ended up… well, let's just say it didn't quite stick the landing. Eurogamer's reporting that EA and BioWare are officially pulling the plug on the game's servers in January 2026. That's right, folks, after a rocky launch, a promised (but never delivered) overhaul, and years of, shall we say, *underwhelming* performance, Anthem is finally shuffling off this mortal coil.
Now, before you start sharpening your pitchforks (or, more likely, typing angry tweets), it's worth noting that no one at BioWare lost their jobs as a result of this, which is always good news. Especially after EA's recent cancellation of that single-player Black Panther game and the closure of Cliffhanger Studios – that was a bit rough, wasn't it?
So, what does this mean for you, the intrepid gamer? Well, as of now, you can't buy any more in-game currency. If you've still got some lingering around, now's the time to spend it. The game's also getting yeeted from the EA Play playlist next month. If you already own Anthem, you can still download and play it until the servers go dark. But after that, it's gone, kaput, finished. Think of it as that magical artifact that slowly fades from existence once its power source is extinguished.
BioWare's Anthem team released a statement thanking players for their "dedication, passion and support over the years." A touching sentiment, to be sure. But let's be honest, Anthem's story is a cautionary tale. It's a reminder that even the biggest studios with the biggest budgets can stumble when trying to chase the live-service dragon. (Anyone remember that ill-fated 'substantial reinvention' announcement in 2020? Yeah, me neither.)
Back in 2019, Eurogamer's original review called Anthem "Beautiful, broken, with flashes of brilliance, Anthem is a disorganised mess in search of a reason to be." Ouch. But fair? Probably. The game showed glimpses of potential, but ultimately fell short of expectations. It’s a reminder that even the shiniest loot and the most impressive graphics can't compensate for a lack of solid gameplay and a clear vision. It's a bit like a wizard casting a powerful spell with no idea what it's supposed to *do*.
So, farewell, Anthem. You were a fascinating experiment, a noble failure, and a reminder that not every gamble pays off. Maybe, just maybe, lessons learned here will lead to better things for BioWare in the future. After all, they've got Dragon Age and Mass Effect to think about now, eh?
Tags: Anthem, BioWare, EA, Multiplayer, Game Shutdown
Original article: Eurogamer