Anthem (video game)
A multiplayer action RPG set on planet Coda.
Anthem was an online multiplayer action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. Released worldwide on February 22, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, the game was set on the fictional planet Coda, where players assumed the role of Freelancers—heroic adventurers who wear powerful exosuits called Javelins to defend humanity. The title refers to the Anthem of Creation, a mysterious force responsible for extraordinary technology and threats. The game received mixed reviews and, despite reaching over 5 million lifetime sales, failed to meet commercial expectations; its servers shut down on January 12, 2026.
- Developer
- BioWare
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- Release date
- February 22, 2019
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
- Genre
- Online multiplayer action role-playing game
- Setting
- Planet Coda
- Server shutdown
- January 12, 2026
Lore & Background
Anthem combined third-person shooter and action role-playing game elements in a contiguous open world shared with up to three other players. Each player took the role of a Freelancer donning fully customizable exosuits called Javelins. The game featured four unique Javelin variants: the Ranger, Colossus, Interceptor, and Storm, each with unique attributes and abilities. Players could build relationships with non-playable characters but could not establish romantic relationships. The central meeting point was Fort Tarsis, a fortified settlement where players received missions. The game featured both single-player and co-operative multiplayer elements in a shared world with up to four squad members.
Reader's Guide
Anthem was developed by BioWare, a studio known for previous role-playing games, and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released on February 22, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. It received mixed reviews, with critics criticizing its grind, shallow gameplay, technical aspects, and story, while praising its combat, flight controls, and visuals. Despite reaching over 5 million lifetime sales, it failed to meet commercial expectations. In February 2020, BioWare announced plans to reinvent the core gameplay, but all future development ceased in February 2021. The game's servers shut down on January 12, 2026, rendering it unplayable. Anthem's legacy is that of a high-profile title that struggled to fulfill its potential, leading to an early end to support.
Did You Know?
- The game's title refers to the Anthem of Creation, a powerful force responsible for most extraordinary technology and threats in the world.
- The planet Coda is littered with advanced technological relics that harness the Anthem of Creation.
- The four Javelin variants are Ranger, Colossus, Interceptor, and Storm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anthem (video game)?
Anthem is an online multiplayer action RPG built by BioWare and shipped by Electronic Arts, hitting shelves on February 22, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. In it, you play as a Freelancer—a wandering hero who pilots a heavily armed exosuit called a Javelin to safeguard the last human outposts on the planet Coda.
What are the Javelin classes in Anthem?
Every Freelancer selects one of four Javelin archetypes—Interceptor, Javelin, Colossus, or Pathfinder—each offering a unique combat kit, mobility style, and set of abilities. Switching between them lets you tailor your playstyle, from fast aerial dogfights to slow, tanky frontline brawling.
What is the Anthem of Creation in the game's lore?
The Anthem of Creation is a mysterious, ancient power in Coda's mythology that is credited with producing both humanity's most advanced technology and the world's most dangerous threats. It functions as a central narrative mystery that ties together the game's major story arcs.
Why did Anthem shut down?
Although the title sold more than five million copies, persistent server issues and a slow content cadence caused player numbers to drop well below Electronic Arts' targets. EA ultimately terminated the game's online services in April 2022, making the title unplayable.
Is Anthem still available to play?
No. Because the game was built around mandatory online connectivity and EA pulled the servers in 2022, there is no way to launch or play Anthem on any platform today.
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