Electronic Arts has shut down the multiplayer servers for Anthem, making the game impossible to launch in its online form. The shutdown was reported by users on social media, who noted that attempts to start the game now fail due to the server closure.
Anthem is a multiplayer, science-fiction shooter developed by BioWare’s Edmonton studio and released in early 2019. Players assume the roles of freelancers who pilot combat exosuits—so-called Javelins—to explore a hazardous alien world and extract resources while facing environmental dangers and hostile forces.
When it debuted, Anthem received mixed reception. Critics and players praised certain gameplay elements, notably the sensation of flight in the Javelins, but the title was widely faulted for its weak narrative, persistent technical issues, repetitive and uninspired mission design, and the lack of a proper single-player experience.
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah has previously commented on why Electronic Arts decided not to invest in a full revival of Anthem. According to his remarks, EA moved away from the idea relatively quickly, even though the publisher has in other cases allowed studios such as DICE and Maxis more time to address and recover from problematic launches.
With the servers now offline, Anthem’s multiplayer component is no longer accessible to players. The shutdown effectively closes the book on the game’s online lifecycle, a development that has prompted discussion and reaction among former players and industry observers on social platforms.