EA to Permanently Shutdown Anthem on January 12, 2026

In a shocking announcement from EA, the beloved but troubled title Anthem, developed by BioWare, will officially shut down on January 12, 2026. This means that once this date arrives, players will have no access to the game, as all of its content is exclusively online.

End of Premium Currency Sales and Game Availability

Starting today, EA has halted sales of Anthem’s premium in-game currency. However, players can continue to utilize their existing balances until the game ceases operations. Furthermore, Anthem will be removed from EA Play on August 15, 2025, but players who already own the game will still have it available for download until it goes offline.

A Game with Mixed Reviews and Unmet Expectations

Launched back in February 2019, Anthem received a lukewarm reception, with critics, including us, rating it a mere 6.5/10. Feedback pointed to its grindy gameplay, lack of polish, limited variety, and a mismatched narrative. Despite selling 5 million copies by December 2023, the game fell short of EA's ambitious target of 6 million within the first months.

The End of An Era for Anthem

EA attempted to revive Anthem with updates and improvements, but in February 2021, the decision was made to halt active development. Shortly after, the game's director also departed from the company. This closure marks the end of a chapter for a title that had potential but struggled to resonate with its audience.

No Layoffs Linked to Anthem's Shutdown Despite Recent Turmoil

In their FAQ, EA reassured the public that no layoffs would occur as a result of Anthem's shutdown. This is particularly notable given EA’s recent history of significant staff reductions that have left employees shaken. Just in May, EA closed Cliffhanger Games and canceled a highly anticipated Black Panther game, leading to several layoffs.

BioWare Shifts Focus, Bracing for a New Future

In light of the Anthem closure, BioWare is shifting its full attention to the development of Mass Effect 5. This comes after the disappointing sales of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Over the past two years, EA has undergone multiple restructuring processes, resulting in a considerable number of job cuts, but the future looks hopeful for BioWare as they embark on their next big project.