Anthemwas released in 2017 and quickly critically panned for lackluster story and gameplay content, the former falling short of the heights BioWare is known for and the latter being a clear padding attempt at a long-time live-service endgame. Truth be told, there is one mission that was clearly added to add time to the game, effectively time-gating players so that they are forced to put hours into it. However, thecore fantasy ofAnthemand its “Iron Man Simulator"vibe was on point.
Choosing one ofAnthem’s Javelinswas a tough choice because all were great and fun in a bubble; unfortunately,Anthemquickly burst that bubble and didn’t support it. BioWare attempted to improve the game withAnthem 2.0, but EA pulled the plug there after some time. And now, as players have come to learn, EA is pulling the plug again in January 2026. Once EA sunsetsAnthem, it will no longer be playable online or offline. Offline isn’t possible forAnthembecause it is all it is designed for servers and online play, meaning any attempt to make it playable offline would take considerably more resources than most would think. But the question remains: why didAnthemfail?
Anthem’s Failure Is a Series of Unfortunately Preventable Events
There are a lot of reasons the game was panned, but a lot more has been learned about its development. First and foremost, BioWare (a well-known single-player RPG studio) working on alive-service gamehas continuously not worked out, nor is it what fans of classic BioWare fans want. The reality is thatAnthem’s failure is not the result of one misstep, but a series of missteps since its inception.
A series of setbacks, over years, basically sawAnthemmade in a year. The state it launched in was a direct result of that, and the quick turnaround near the end meant that the game lived up neither to BioWare’s storytelling chops nor as a “Destiny Killer.” Anticipation was too high for the title, and it ultimately floundered. There are a lot of areas where “what if” could maybe change the course of the game, but there’s the game it could have been and the game fans got.Anthemhad the potential for aCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty-style of redemption, truly, and BioWare attempted that withAnthem Next, orAnthem 2.0. Unfortunately, that potential would be wasted.
My recommendation? Play Anthem as an Iron Man Simulator. Not a looter shooter, not a masterpiece, not a live-service game, but mindless fun flying and shooting. That’s the best way to enjoy the current state of the game. It’s cheaper than dirt right now, and what it offers is worth more than its current price tag despite its shortcomings.
The biggestdisappointment ofAnthemis its wasted potential. It had the bones to be something truly special, but a rushed-AND-dealyed development, lack of vision and support, and unfortunately, extended development time and resources make it one of the biggest nails in BioWare’s coffin. As development costs ballooned, resources shifted, and more changed at BioWare in the late 2010s, its development pipelines were too extended. Many studios have shifted to working on a single IP or two, and BioWare may as well be aMass Effectstudio now, much to the chagrin of its fans.
Anthem Player Count
Currently, it is not possible to find out how activeAnthemis as an online game. However, there are three factors to consider here:
Anthem Shutdown
EA released an FAQ outlining what players should expect fromAnthem’s shutdown. However, it’s worth noting that it is being removed from EA Play (and thus services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate) onAugust 15.
Q: How long will I have to play Anthem?
A:Game servers will be available until Jun 11, 2025, at which time the game will no longer be playable.
Q: Why can’t I play Anthem in offline mode?
A: Anthem was designed to be an online-only title, so once the servers go offline, the game will no longer be playable.
Q: Can I still install Anthem if I had previously purchased the game?
A:Yes, if you previously purchased Anthem, the game can still be downloaded from a digital library and played until June 13, 2025.
Q: Why can I no longer purchase Anthem or in-game currency?
A: Over the course of the next 180+ days, Anthem will still be playable online and you can use the last of your in-game premium currency as we prepare to sunset the game’s live servers on August 01, 2025.
Q: Will I still be able to use my in-game currency?
A: Yes, you’re able to still use any in-game premium currency that you currently have until the game is sunset on June 07, 2025.
Q: How long will the game stay on EA Play?
A: Anthem will be removed from the EA Play playlist on June 22, 2025.
Q: Has anyone else at BioWare been affected by these changes?
A: No, the sunsetting of Anthem has not led to any layoffs.
