### EA's Anthem to Be Permanently Shut Down: A Final Farewell to a Troubled Game EA has announced the impending shutdown of BioWare's multiplayer shooter, Anthem, which will become unplayable after January 12, 2026. The game, which launched in 2019, has struggled to meet financial expectations and has faced significant criticism throughout its lifecycle. Following a decision made by EA and BioWare, Anthem will be delisted from online storefronts on August 15, 2025, marking the end of its availability for players [https://www.techradar.com/gaming/gaming-industry/ea-is-shutting-down-biowares-anthem-next-year-rendering-it-unplayable-forever][https://www.eurogamer.net/biowares-beleaguered-multiplayer-shooter-anthem-shutting-down-next-year]. ### Breakdown of the Shutdown Announcement 1. **Shutdown Timeline**: - Anthem will be delisted on **August 15, 2025**. - The servers will officially shut down on **January 12, 2026** [https://www.lowyat.net/2025/357973/ea-shut-down-anthem-12-january-2026]. 2. **Game Background**: - Anthem was released in **February 2019** and was intended as a live-service game. - It has been criticized for its lack of content and numerous technical issues, leading to a dwindling player base [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/biowares-anthem-will-finally-shut-down-in-early-2026-just-shy-of-its-seventh-birthday]. 3. **Financial Performance**: - The game did not meet EA's financial expectations, contributing to the decision to shut it down [https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/articles/anthem-shutting-down-ve-got-115556044.html]. 4. **Community Impact**: - Players have been given a final opportunity to experience the game before it becomes unplayable, with many expressing disappointment over the game's fate [https://www.thegamer.com/anthem-servers-shutting-down-soon]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Key Dates**: - **August 15, 2025**: Delisting from online stores. - **January 12, 2026**: Server shutdown, making the game unplayable. - **Game Reception**: - Anthem has been described as "beleaguered" and "maligned," indicating a troubled history with both critics and players [https://kotaku.com/anthem-servers-still-up-shut-down-bioware-ea-1851785618][https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/anthem-is-finally-shutting-down-after-years-of-neglect-from-bioware-3222378]. ### Conclusion: The End of Anthem's Journey In summary, **Anthem's shutdown marks the end of a challenging chapter for BioWare and EA**. The game, which was once seen as a promising entry into the multiplayer shooter genre, ultimately failed to capture and retain a significant player base. 1. **Shutdown Announcement**: EA and BioWare confirmed the game's delisting and server shutdown. 2. **Game's History**: Anthem struggled with content and technical issues since its launch. 3. **Community Reaction**: Players are left with a limited time to enjoy the game before it becomes permanently unplayable. The decision to shut down Anthem reflects broader challenges in the gaming industry regarding live-service models and player engagement [https://gamingbolt.com/anthem-servers-shutting-down-on-january-12th-2026][https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/surprise-the-anthem-servers-are-still-running-but-they-wont-be-after-january-12].