WhenAnthemlaunched, it seems like an understatement to suggest fans were disappointed. The game missed the mark several times over, resulting in an experience that ended up at thebottom of BioWare’s games. However, as with all games, there were still fans—fans who hoped that this planned overhaul, known asAnthem NEXTorAnthem 2.0,would give the game aNo Man’s Sky-style revival.
EA has since confirmed, however, that the overhaul has been canceled. After reviewing the latest version and/or update ofAnthem 2.0, EA has decide to end the project. This means those who have been working on it have been moved toDragon Age 4, something that may prove beneficialin the long run for it, but it has other implications.
RELATED:Anthem 2.0 Has Been Officially Cancelled
For example, it seems that BioWare may be sticking to its guns for the next decade or so, putting out nothing more than Mass Effect and Dragon Age. While good for many reasons, it also seems to be somewhat limiting for BioWare. That doesn’t meanAnthemis dropping off the face of the earth though, and in fact, this cancellation may not be the worst of it.
Anthem: What’s Next?
Anthem’s future has been effectively neutered. This overhaul doesn’t mean support for the original game is over, but since most of the resources available for that were delegated to the overhaul and those were all seeminglysent toDragon Age 4, there’s plenty of reasons to believe that there will no future Cataclysms, much less quality of life updates. What’s next forAnthemis inevitably more of the same.
Again,Anthemhas a fanbase. Many loved its story, many loved the flight mechanics, and many still play it. There’s even a chance that more will play it, given that most physical editions of it are very cheap, but its days are numbered. While it may still have fans playing it, they will eventually move on, and the less there are, this will lead to more and more problems.Anthemhas had reported matchmaking problemsbefore, and those will eventually get worse. There’s no way around it: as heartbreaking as it for many, this cancellation isn’t the end but the start of a downward slide. As its player count dwindles, BioWare and EA will eventually shut down its servers.
Anthem’s Servers Are on a Timer
How long until Anthem servers shut down remains to be seen. This news could see players less interested in it, meaning there may be a couple of months at the most. BioWare is still maintaining these servers for now, so for fans who do active play it may even have a year, two, or more. It’s really hard to say, but the cancellation isn’t the final nail in the coffin forAnthemas it stands, it’s just the coffin. Eventually, fans will not be able to play on its servers and when that day comes, many may ask: CouldAnthem 2.0have lived up to the game’s original promise?
