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Anthem’s Free Demo Weekend Was in 2019—The Game Is No Longer Playable

Anthem’s PC, Xbox One, and PS4 demo weekend was a February 2019 event. The online-only game is no longer playable after EA’s January 12, 2026 server shutdown.
World2019-The Game Is No Longer Playable Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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No. The “free to play all weekend” headline refers to Anthem’s open demo, which ran February 1–3, 2019 on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Anthem is no longer playable: EA said its online-only servers would close on January 12, 2026, and that date has passed.

Can you still play Anthem?

No. EA’s BioWare Team said, “Anthem was designed to be an online-only title so once the servers go offline, the game will no longer be playable.” EA set the server shutdown for January 12, 2026, and its service-shutdown list names Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and EA App. Owning a copy does not let you play after the shutdown. EA’s Anthem update and FAQ and EA’s service updates

EA also announced that Anthem would leave the EA Play playlist on August 15, 2025, before the servers closed. The former demo weekend is not a current offer, and the game cannot be downloaded and played as a live experience now.

What was in the Anthem demo?

GameSpot’s account of the 2019 open demo describes a limited slice of the game, not a free copy of the full campaign. It included two story missions, access to part of the map in Freeplay, and one Stronghold. The story segment took place just before the halfway point of the full game, and demo progress did not carry over to the full release. GameSpot’s Anthem open demo guide

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Anthem - PlayStation 4 (Renewed)
  • 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
  • Story: Two missions.
  • Freeplay: Explore a portion of the map.
  • Stronghold: One activity, requiring four players. Other demo activities could be played solo or with a group.
  • Progression: Players started at level 10 and could advance to level 15.
  • Javelins: Everyone began with the Ranger. At level 12, a player could unlock one of the Colossus, Interceptor, or Storm suits; the demo allowed only one additional Javelin unlock.

Was the demo available on PS4 and Xbox?

Yes. The open demo was offered on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Those platform details and the access requirements below applied to the February 2019 event only; they are not current ways to access Anthem.

Platform Historical event details
PC 44 GB download; EA or Origin account required, according to GameSpot.
Xbox One 26 GB download; GameSpot said Xbox Live Gold was required for online play. Xbox’s Free Play Days for All covered the first day of the event.
PlayStation 4 26 GB download; GameSpot said a PSN subscription was required for online play.

When did the free weekend run?

GameSpot listed the event as running from February 1 at 9 a.m. PT / noon ET / 5 p.m. UK time until February 3 at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET, which was February 4 at 2 a.m. in the UK. These were the event’s original times, not a recurring free-play schedule.

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Anthem (PS4)
  • Requires online subscription
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What was Anthem?

At launch, EA described Anthem as a game for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, sold in Standard and Legion of Dawn editions. Players took the role of a Freelancer piloting a Javelin, with Fort Tarsis serving as a home settlement between missions. This is historical context rather than a current purchase option. EA’s Anthem launch guide

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Anthem (PS4)
Anthem (PS4)
Requires online subscription
$11.49
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Anthem Legion of Dawn Edition (PS4)
Anthem Legion of Dawn Edition (PS4)
Anthem Digital Soundtrack
$29.65
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Anthem - PlayStation 4
Anthem - PlayStation 4
Requires online subscription
$12.50
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Anthem - PlayStation 4
  • Requires online subscription
Rank #3
Anthem Legion of Dawn Edition (PS4)
  • Legion of Dawn Ranger, Colossus, Storm, and Interceptor Armor Packs and Legendary Weapon: Join your friends in the world of Anthem with a full set of customized exosuits, plus a Legendary weapon, all in the theme of the Legion of Dawn - the pre-cursor faction of the Freelancers.
  • Ranger Javelin Exosuit Legendary Gear Attachment: A Legendary piece of gear to enhance the combat abilities for your Ranger Javelin.
  • Anthem Digital Soundtrack

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