Anthem Will Become Unplayable After Server Shutdown This Month

EA and BioWare are preparing to shut down Anthem’s online servers, making the game completely unplayable for all players. Once the servers go offline on January 12, Anthem will no longer function, even for those who own physical copies.

The move effectively ends access to the online-only looter-shooter, turning purchased copies into unusable software. Anthem requires a persistent server connection, meaning there is no offline mode once EA pulls the plug.

What Is Happening To Anthem

Anthem launched in 2019 as a live service action RPG built around cooperative multiplayer and shared-world gameplay. Because the game relies entirely on online infrastructure, shutting down the servers removes all access to gameplay.

Digital versions of Anthem have already been delisted, while remaining physical copies offer only temporary access until the shutdown date.

Why EA Is Shutting Down Anthem Servers

Despite post-launch updates and planned reworks, Anthem failed to sustain a long-term player base. EA ultimately canceled its proposed overhaul and shifted resources away from the project.

Maintaining live servers for an online-only game carries ongoing operational costs, which EA appears unwilling to continue supporting for a low-activity title.

What Players Can Still Do Before The Shutdown

Players who still own a copy of Anthem can continue playing until the shutdown date, provided they can connect to the servers. After that point, the game will no longer load or function.

• Log in and play Anthem while servers remain active
• Experience the story and cooperative missions one last time
• Capture gameplay footage or screenshots for archival purposes

Physical Copies Will Not Work After Shutdown

Unlike traditional offline games, Anthem’s physical discs do not contain a playable version without server authentication. Once the servers go offline, disc-based copies will no longer allow gameplay.

This has renewed discussion around digital ownership, preservation, and the risks of online-only game design.

Community Response And Preservation Concerns

Some fans have raised the possibility of unofficial server emulation, similar to efforts seen with other discontinued online games. However, no official tools or source code have been released to support this.

Without community-led solutions, Anthem will effectively disappear as a playable game once the shutdown occurs.

What Comes Next

As of now, EA has not announced plans to release Anthem in an offline or standalone form. The shutdown highlights ongoing concerns about the longevity of live service games and the permanence of purchased digital content.

For Anthem, the countdown is final. Once the servers go dark, the game’s world will go with them.