Anthem It was launched in February 2019 with high expectations from EA And from a fan base. These expected a new narrative gem by BioWare, a study responsible for iconic sagas such as Mass Effect and Dragon Age. However, the criticisms did not take long to arrive. Specialized reviews rated it with medium scores. including a 6.5/10, highlighting the Lack of variety, the Repetitive design, the Poorly structured history And a gameplay that depended too much on routine and “grinding”.
Anthem: A story marked by disappointment
although he managed to sell About 5 million copies as of December 2023, , Anthem He did not reach the initial goal of EA. was expected 6 million units sold in the first months after its launch. Commercial and critical disappointment made EA little by little reduce its support for the game.
Although during its first months it received updates that tried to polish the experience and add content, In February 2021 EA announced that the active development of the title ceased. Just a month later, the game director left the company, making it clear that the future of Anthem I was compromised.
EA denies associated layoffs, but history weighs
In a FAQ section (FAQ) Published together with the announcement, EA has ensured that There will be no dismissals as a direct consequence of the closure of Anthem. This statement seeks to mitigate concerns within the industry. Considering that the company has starred A wave of cuts and closings of studies in recent years.
so far from 2025EA has made a series of drastic decisions:
- On MAY, , Cliffhanger Games closed and canceled the development of a game based on Black Panther, firing an unspecified number of workers.
- In that same month, Implemented a mandatory return to office policy, which generated internal tensions.
- On April, fired about 300 people as part of an internal restructuring.
- On BioWare, study responsible for Anthem, an important reorganization was carried out: Some developers were transferred to other projects, while Others were fired.
These movements add to 670 layoffs that occurred in 2024 and to the 50 in BioWare during 2023, not counting the cuts in other studies such as Codemasters, whose exact number of affected was never revealed.
What’s next for BioWare?
After the commercial failure of Anthem And the modest results of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, , BioWare is now completely focused on the development of Mass Effect 5, a new installment that is expected to recover the lost prestige of the studio. The project is seen internally as a redemption opportunity, not only for the development team, but for EA’s reputation before the most demanding fans of its classical franchises.
However, the uncertainty persists. In an increasingly volatile market, where even large-licensed and experience studies face cancellations and layoffs, BioWare’s future depends on both critical and commercial success of its upcoming releases. And with Anthem Officially off the board, the pressure will only increase.
Anthem: A lesson for the industry
the closure of Anthem It is a reminder that even the most prestigious studies can stumble when the development of a game fails to find its way. Despite its impressive visuals and initial promises, Anthem He never managed to consolidate himself as the game as a service that EA imagined. Its history is also a warning about the risks of accelerated development, lack of creative cohesion and the high expectations imposed by the great publishers.
Now, all that remains is to wait for the end of this stage to allow BioWare to concentrate and reinvent itself, while the players say goodbye, perhaps with nostalgia, of a title that could have been more than it was.
