BioWare’s troubled live-service game Anthem has officially gone offline, marking the end of a journey that began in February 2019. Players witnessed the servers shutting down shortly after 10am Pacific time, effectively making the game unplayable for good. This closure arrives after BioWare's announcement last year about no longer supporting the game and a long history of criticism regarding its grindiness and lack of polish. Despite achieving over 5 million sales, Anthem failed to meet EA’s expectations and saw a halt in active development by BioWare in 2021, shifting their focus to other projects. Following the live server end, some fans are exploring options to revive the game through custom servers, reflecting on its missed potential.

What were the main reasons for Anthem's failure?

Anthem's failure can be attributed to a series of issues including a lack of polished gameplay, repetitive grind mechanics, and a story that didn't resonate well with players. Despite offering a promising combat system and an intriguing world, these shortcomings led to a disappointing launch and unsatisfactory ongoing support from BioWare.

Anthem was ambitious, combining action RPG elements with a dense multiplayer environment where players piloted customizable Javelin suits. The game’s initial hype was met with mixed reviews, and its eventual shut down underscores the challenges faced by live-service games in today's competitive market. BioWare's focus has since shifted to other franchises, notably the upcoming Dragon Age and Mass Effect games, leaving Anthem as a cautionary tale in the realm of online gaming.