Is EA Shutting Down Games in January 2026?
EA is shutting down three of its games in January 2026, which will leave them either partially or completely unplayable once their online servers go offline. These titles include BioWare’s Anthem, Maxis’ The Sims Mobile, and EA Tiburon’s NBA Live 19, all of which have already been delisted from digital storefronts ahead of the shutdowns. While existing players can still access them for now, their online-dependent features—and in some cases the entire game—will stop working after the scheduled dates.
Anthem Servers Shutting Down
Anthem, the multiplayer action RPG released in 2019 by BioWare, is the first of the three games scheduled to go offline, with its servers shutting down on January 12, 2026. Because Anthem was designed as an always-online experience, turning off its servers will effectively render the game unplayable, marking the end of its troubled lifecycle after development was halted in 2021 and the title was delisted on August 15, 2025. For players who invested time in its cooperative gameplay and Javelin exosuits, this shutdown underscores how dependent live-service games are on continued publisher support.
The Sims Mobile Closure
The Sims Mobile, developed by Maxis as a mobile adaptation of The Sims 4, will be shut down on January 24, 2026, ending its run as one of EA’s key mobile life-simulation titles. The game was already delisted from app stores on October 21, 2025, meaning only current users can still play until the servers go dark, after which core online functionality—and potentially access altogether—will no longer be available. This move highlights how even recognized brands like The Sims are not guaranteed indefinite support when revenue and engagement no longer justify ongoing server and maintenance costs.
NBA Live 19 Going Offline
NBA Live 19, released in 2018 by EA Tiburon, is the last of the three games to be shut down, with its servers scheduled to close on January 30, 2026. It remains the most recent entry in the NBA Live franchise, which has effectively been put on ice since its release, and the game was delisted at the end of October 2025 in preparation for the shutdown. Beyond server costs, the title is also tied to player and league licensing agreements, which can be expensive to maintain for an aging sports game that no longer generates significant revenue.
Why EA is Ending Support?
EA has not issued specific, official explanations for these particular shutdowns and delistings, and the company generally offers little detail when retiring older titles. However, common factors likely include the financial burden of maintaining servers and technical support for shrinking player bases, as well as licensing constraints for games like NBA Live 19, where renewing deals makes little sense if the game is no longer profitable. In effect, all three January 2026 shutdowns fit into a broader trend of publishers phasing out legacy live-service and online-dependent games once they become more costly to support than the revenue they bring in.
Disclaimer
This article is based on official announcements, social media statements, and public delisting notices available at the time of writing. Shutdown dates, server availability, and game functionality may change if EA issues further updates. Players should always refer to EA’s official support channels for the most accurate information.
