Anthem Is the Latest Video Game Casualty — What Should End-of-Life Care Look Like for Games?

In July 2025, EA quietly confirmed the final shutdown of Anthem, their once highly-hyped multiplayer sci-fi shooter. With servers set to go dark permanently and no offline option in place, Anthem becomes the latest casualty in a growing trend of live-service games being abandoned and erased leaving players with nothing to show for their purchases.

But as these digital closures become more common, a serious question emerges:
What should “end-of-life care” look like for video games?

⚰️ Anthem’s Final Chapter: A Familiar Story in 2025

Launched in 2019 by BioWare and EA, Anthem promised a revolutionary shared-world sci-fi experience. But after a rocky launch, a lack of compelling content, and a failed reboot attempt (Anthem NEXT), development slowed and updates stopped by 2021.

Fast forward to 2025:
EA has now confirmed the server shutdown, meaning the game will become completely unplayable even in single-player mode.

🎙️ “We appreciate your support… but it’s time to sunset the Anthem experience,” EA stated in a press release.

💡 Why Games Like Anthem Die

Anthem joins a long list of games that were once live but are now dead in every sense:

• Battleborn
• The Crew (2014)
• LawBreakers
• Marvel Heroes
• Babylon’s Fall
• Multiversus (returned, but previously delisted)

These titles all share a few common issues:

• 📉 Player count drops
• 💸 Ongoing server costs
• 🧱 Design reliant on always-online functionality
• 🚫 No offline or mod support

In Anthem’s case, the decision also reflects EA’s shift toward higher-performing franchises like Apex Legends and Dragon Age.

🧩 The Bigger Problem: Digital Death with No Dignity

Gamers have started asking tough questions:

• Why can’t I play what I bought?
• Why is there no offline mode?
• Where’s the refund or closure plan?

With digital ownership becoming the norm, games like Anthem being completely removed feels like erasing part of gaming history.

“We’ve normalized pulling the plug without saying goodbye,” said one Redditor. “Imagine buying a movie and it gets deleted because the servers shut down.”

⚖️ What Should ‘End-of-Life Care’ Look Like for Games?

Just like tech products or streaming shows, video games need ethical and structured offboarding when it’s time to shut down. Here’s what gamers, developers, and digital rights experts are now calling for:

1. 🛠️ Offline or Legacy Mode

Publishers should release a version of the game that can be played offline even if limited in features. Halo 2 and StarCraft set this precedent.

2. 💾 Community Server Tools or Open Source Support

Give fans the tools to host their own private servers or modded versions. This extends the game’s life through its community.

3. 🧾 Player Communication Timeline

Games should provide at least 6 months’ notice, with regular updates explaining why and how the game is being sunset.

4. 💸 Refunds or Game Credits

If a game is being shut down within 2 years of purchase, players should receive refunds, store credits, or replacement titles.

5. 🧠 Archiving and Preservation

Partner with game preservation organizations to document and archive gameplay, assets, and systems before removal.

💬 Players Deserve a Better Goodbye

The shutdown of Anthem isn’t just a technical choice — it’s a symbol of a broken digital relationship between companies and players. People invest time, money, and emotion into games, forming memories that deserve more than a quiet deletion.

Imagine a final in-game event, a cinematic goodbye, or a thank-you note from the developers. That’s the kind of closure gamers are asking for — and deserve.

📉 Anthem Isn’t the Only One — Others Are at Risk

More titles could soon follow if trends continue:

❓ FAQs – End-of-Life Gaming Questions

Q1: Why can’t Anthem be played offline?

Because it was built as an online-only experience, with no offline mode ever developed — a major point of criticism.

Q2: Can EA release the source code or mod tools?

They could — but most publishers don’t, due to licensing, proprietary engines, or fear of loss of IP control.

Q3: Will players get refunds?

Unlikely, unless they recently purchased the game. EA hasn’t announced a refund policy.

Q4: Are there alternatives?

Yes — games like Warframe, Destiny 2, or No Man’s Sky offer shared-world experiences with long-term support and updates.

Q5: What can players do to protect their purchases?

Support campaigns like Stop Killing Games, buy physical media when possible, and advocate for digital rights laws in your region.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Anthem’s End Shouldn’t Be the Standard

The death of Anthem is a cautionary tale — not just for players, but for an entire industry.
As more titles are tied to always-online systems and live-service models, end-of-life plans must become a standard part of game development.

Because if we don’t demand better, we’ll keep waking up to find the games we loved — and paid for — have simply vanished.