In a candid video series, former executive producer Mark Darrah of BioWare delves into the troubled history of Anthem, the online action RPG that will be shut down by EA in January 2026. Darrah takes accountability for the game's shortcomings while shedding light on the chaotic development that spanned over six years. He explains how the shift in focus towards live service models, initially pitched to impress EA executives, led to severe miscommunication and staffing issues at BioWare. The project struggled with defining its core experience, ultimately resembling other games like Destiny and Borderlands, instead of maintaining a unique identity. Despite the hard work of many developers, Anthem faced criticism for its repetitive gameplay and lack of content upon release in February 2019.

What were the key factors that led to Anthem's failure?

Several key factors contributed to Anthem's failure, including an unclear vision from the outset, a shift towards a live service model that conflicted with BioWare's traditional storytelling focus, and significant personnel changes that left the project understaffed and without direction. Additionally, intense pressure from EA to meet high sales expectations further complicated its development.

Anthem was initially envisioned by BioWare as a revolutionary action RPG that could integrate cinematic storytelling with the multiplayer format. The game aimed to attract players seeking a unique experience but ultimately faltered due to the shift in industry expectations and internal management decisions. Released in February 2019, it suffered from a lack of depth and content, resulting in poor reviews and low sales, and prompting EA to cease development just two years later.