Video game developer BioWare, known for beloved series like Dragon Age and Mass Effect, is officially shutting down its online action game, Anthem. Launched in 2019, the live-service shooter struggled to find its footing and will have its servers permanently taken offline by publisher EA on January 12, 2026. This marks the end of a challenging chapter for the veteran studio.
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Anthem’s journey was rocky from the start. Despite showcasing impressive visuals and gameplay concepts like flying powerful mech suits, the game faced significant internal development issues and launched to mixed reviews. It quickly became a focal point for player frustration regarding live-service games, leading to its eventual development being halted in 2021, despite plans for a major rework.
What Was Anthem?
Anthem put players in the role of Freelancers, pilots who wear customizable armored suits called Javelins. These suits granted abilities like flight and unique combat skills, allowing players to team up in groups of four to explore vast environments, fight various enemies, and complete missions. The core loop involved using different Javelin types (like the tank-like Colossus or the agile Interceptor), combining powers in explosive combos, and collecting loot to upgrade gear.
At a time when popular live-service shooters included Destiny 2 and Warframe, Anthem aimed to carve out its own space with its focus on flight and Iron Man-style combat. Initial reveals generated significant excitement for this new universe and gameplay style from BioWare.
Pilot in a red and black powered suit flying through a futuristic jungle environment
The Trouble Behind the Scenes and a Rocky Launch
However, the game’s development was reportedly difficult, marked by internal conflict and tight deadlines—a phenomenon often referred to as “crunch” in the industry, where developers work excessive hours. Sources indicated BioWare, while experienced in RPGs and single-player third-person action (like Mass Effect), lacked the specific expertise needed for a long-term, ongoing multiplayer live-service title.
When Anthem launched, players quickly pointed out a lack of engaging endgame content, repetitive missions, and technical issues. The initial excitement faded as many players ran out of things to do relatively quickly. This led to a declining player base.
The Promised Rework That Never Came
Recognizing these issues, BioWare publicly discussed plans for a significant overhaul or “rework” of Anthem. This proposed update, sometimes unofficially called “Anthem 2.0,” aimed to address core gameplay problems, improve loot systems, add more diverse content like new enemy factions and sky pirates, and deepen Javelin customization. Details shared by the developers sounded promising to remaining fans and those hopeful for a comeback.
Despite these detailed plans and the developers’ hopes, publisher EA ultimately decided in February 2021 to cease all future development on Anthem, canceling the ambitious rework. BioWare then shifted its focus back to its core single-player franchises, Mass Effect (including remasters) and the next Dragon Age game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which itself reportedly shed live-service elements during its development.
A Complicated Legacy
Anthem‘s place in gaming history is complex. While it received heavy criticism and failed as a live-service game, it surprisingly sold well, reportedly moving 5 million copies in its lifetime. This suggests that many players did buy the game, perhaps drawn in by the initial concept or BioWare’s reputation, even if they didn’t stick with it long-term.
The game became a lightning rod for player frustration over industry trends, including the push for live-service models and perceived publisher interference in development. It was sometimes seen as a follow-up disappointment for BioWare after the mixed reception of Mass Effect: Andromeda in 2017, putting the studio’s future under scrutiny.
In the broader live-service landscape, Anthem‘s shutdown highlights the difficulty of competing with giants like Destiny 2, Fortnite, and Grand Theft Auto Online. Many games attempting to enter this space have struggled or shut down, sometimes with more severe consequences for the development studios involved.
Despite the criticisms and its struggles, some players found enjoyment in Anthem‘s core mechanics, particularly the flying and combat combos. The game’s servers remaining online for nearly seven years after launch, even without new content, gave those players a long window to revisit it.
Ultimately, Anthem will be remembered as a game with immense potential that couldn’t overcome its troubled development and post-launch challenges. Its upcoming shutdown on January 12, 2026, officially closes the book on BioWare and EA’s ambitious, albeit ill-fated, entry into the competitive live-service world.
What are your memories of Anthem? Share your thoughts in the comments or explore related articles on BioWare, EA, and the future of live service games.
