Anthem Server Shutdown 2026: Final Call for BioWare's Ambitious Failure

Just 7 days remain to play BioWare's most ambitious failure. EA is set to pull the plug on the servers for Anthem, the jetpack-powered open-world shooter that once aimed to redefine the genre. Following an announcement made last July, the world of Bastion will go dark on January 12, 2026, marking the end of a long, troubled journey.

Anthem Server Shutdown 2026: From Hype to Abandonment

Anthem's history is a cautionary tale for the games industry. Unveiled at E3 2017 with a demo that was later revealed to be largely faked, the game struggled with identity and technical issues from its early 2019 launch. Despite a dedicated core fan base, major redesign plans known as 'Anthem NEXT' were officially canceled in 2021 after General Manager Casey Hudson departed from the studio.

While active development has been dormant for years, the servers remained active, housing a small community of a few hundred to a few thousand players daily. With the Anthem server shutdown 2026 looming, some enthusiasts are hunting for $4 physical copies to experience the flight mechanics one last time or to finish lingering achievements.

The Fight for Digital Preservation

The impending shutdown has reignited discussions on Reddit regarding fan-led private server revivals, similar to the Pretendo Network. However, the complex server-side architecture of Anthem makes such a feat a massive technical challenge. For now, players are flocking to platforms like Twitch to broadcast their final flights before the digital world is erased forever.