The article reflects on the rise and fall of BioWare's multiplayer shooter Anthem, which captivated gamers during its reveal at E3 2017. The game was presented as a groundbreaking new IP, showcasing an expansive open world filled with stunning visuals and innovative gameplay. EA and BioWare aimed to create a memorable experience, leveraging the power of the Xbox One X to deliver breathtaking graphics. However, despite the initial excitement and ambitious promises, Anthem ultimately failed to meet expectations, leading to its decline. The retrospective captures the nostalgia and yearning for a time when reveals were filled with hope for groundbreaking experiences in gaming.
What went wrong with Anthem after its exciting reveal?Anthem was unable to sustain player interest and failed to deliver on its ambitious promises, resulting in a lack of meaningful content and gameplay experiences over time. Consequently, it led to dwindling player engagement and eventually the cessation of any significant updates or support from BioWare.
Anthem was BioWare's attempt to break away from their established franchises, like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and explore new gameplay mechanics within a shared world. Despite its initial promise, the game's development faced numerous challenges, including mismanagement and a complex production process, that ultimately hindered its potential and led to an underwhelming player experience.
Jordan Keats
Jordan Keats is a former professional gamer turned journalist, whose competitive background gives them a unique perspective on esports and multiplayer games. Jordan's expertise in strategy and game mechanics is unmatched, offering readers a deeper understing.
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Comments
Anthem’s story is such a bittersweet reminder that even the flashiest trailers can’t save a game if the core loop isn’t satisfying. BioWare’s magic just couldn’t translate into the live-service grind, and that’s a lesson the whole industry’s still learning.
Anthem's downfall feels like a classic case of 'hype vs. reality'—so much potential squandered by rushed execution and unclear vision. It’s a shame because that E3 demo still lives rent-free in my head as what could’ve been.