Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteAnthem’s servers shut down on January 12, 2026, and the game is no longer playable through normal official access. EA made Anthem online-only: owning a digital or physical copy does not let you play offline or restore access after the servers went offline.
When did Anthem’s servers shut down?
EA announced that Anthem’s servers would remain available until January 12, 2026, and that the game would no longer be playable afterward. That date has passed. PC Gamer reported on January 12 that players were being disconnected and could no longer log in. EA’s Anthem shutdown FAQ is the primary source for the announced date; EA’s FAQ also used January 13 in one answer about preparing to sunset the live servers, but its explicit server-availability answer gives January 12.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Anthem - PlayStation 4 | $12.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Anthem - PlayStation 4 (Renewed) | $8.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Anthem - Standard - PC | $10.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Anthem PlayStation 4 [video game] [video game] (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pdeos7EIL._SL160_.jpg)
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Anthem PlayStation 4 [video game] [video game] (Renewed) | $17.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Anthem: Official Collector's Edition Guide | $18.86 | Buy on Amazon |
Can you still play Anthem after the shutdown?
No. EA said Anthem was designed as an online-only title, so it would no longer be playable once its servers went offline. There is no offline mode that lets owners continue the campaign, and a copy of the game cannot reconnect to a service that has shut down.
Does any way of owning Anthem still provide access?
No current ownership route restores play after the shutdown. The differences between digital ownership, EA Play, and a physical copy matter only for access before the closure:
#1 Best Overall
- Requires online subscription
| Access route | What EA or reporting established | After January 12, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Previously purchased digital copy | EA said owners could download the game from their digital library and play until January 12, 2026. | Downloading or reinstalling does not enable play; the online servers are offline. |
| EA Play | EA scheduled Anthem’s removal from the EA Play playlist for August 15, 2025. | It was removed before the server shutdown, and the service closure prevents play regardless. |
| Physical copy | Ars Technica described used copies as a last chance to try the game before the shutdown, alongside EA’s online-only explanation. | A disc does not provide offline play or replace the servers. |
EA’s announced remaining online-play period was described as 180+ days after its update; that was a window to play before the sunset, not a promise of access afterward. Buying a used copy now cannot bring Anthem back.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why did Anthem shut down?
The server closure is separate from BioWare’s earlier decision to stop work on Anthem NEXT. On February 24, 2021, BioWare said it was ending development of the planned overhaul while continuing to run the existing live service at that time. That 2021 statement described the service then, not its status after the 2026 shutdown. The later server sunset ended the online service that the game required to function.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #3
- Individual heroes unite to triumph as One: the heart of anthem is a connected, social experience
- Choose from an arsenal of customizable exosuits
- Powered by EA Frostbite game engine, anthem's visually spectacular, evolving, and open world features Unpredictable conditions, hazards, and enemies
Rank #2
- Team up with up to three other players in cooperative adventures that reward both teamwork and individual skill
- Choose from an arsenal of customizable Javelin exosuits – armor designed to provide its pilot with incredible offensive and defensive capabilities
- The Javelin exosuits – and accompanying gear, weapons, and equipment – can be heavily customized and personalized as you rank up and defeat powerful foes
- Anthem’s visually spectacular, evolving, and open world features unpredictable conditions, hazards, and enemies
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
