EA Shutting Down Anthem, The Sims Mobile, and NBA Live 19 in January 2026

Electronic Arts will permanently shut down three online games. Anthem, The Sims Mobile, and NBA Live 19 are all closing in January 2026. The move affects thousands of players across PC, console, and mobile platforms.

This ends years of service for these titles. According to Reuters, this is part of a larger trend of game studios sunsetting older live-service titles to cut costs. Players will lose all access once the servers go offline.

Official Shutdown Timeline and Immediate Impact

EA has confirmed a precise schedule for the closures. The shutdown process begins with Anthem on January 12, 2026. The Sims Mobile follows on January 20, and NBA Live 19 concludes the phase-out on January 30.

All three games were removed from digital stores and the EA Play subscription service in late 2025. This gave players a final window to download and play. After the server dates, the games will be completely unplayable.

This decision impacts every owner of these games. There is no offline mode available for any of the three titles. Player progress, in-game purchases, and saved data will be permanently lost when EA pulls the plug on the servers.

Behind the Decision to End These Games

Analysts point to low active player counts and high server maintenance costs. Keeping old games online requires significant resources for updates and security. For EA, redirecting those resources to newer projects makes financial sense.

Anthem, in particular, struggled to retain a large audience after its difficult launch. The game’s planned major overhaul was canceled years ago. Its ongoing costs have likely outweighed its revenue for some time.

The shutdown of The Sims Mobile aligns with EA’s focus on a new generation of Sims games. NBA Live 19’s closure reflects the competitive sports game market, where EA has shifted its basketball focus.

The upcoming server shutdowns mark a definitive end for three distinct EA projects. Gamers have a final chance to log in and say goodbye before these digital worlds vanish for good.

Dropping this nugget your way-

Will players get refunds for in-game purchases?

EA has stated it will not issue refunds for unused premium currency. Players are encouraged to spend their remaining SimCash or coins before the shutdown dates. All sales for these games were finalized months ago.

Why is EA shutting down these games now?

The primary reason is cost. Maintaining servers and providing support for older, low-population games is expensive. EA is consolidating its live-service portfolio to focus on more popular and profitable titles.

Can I still play Anthem after January 12?

No, you cannot. Anthem is an online-only game with no offline functionality. Once EA turns off the servers on January 12, 2026, the game will be completely inaccessible on all platforms.

What happens to my game library after shutdown?

The games will remain in your digital library but will be unplayable. They will essentially become non-functional icons. You will not be able to launch or access any part of the game after the server closure date.

Is EA planning more game shutdowns soon?

It is very likely. EA and other publishers regularly review the viability of older live-service games. Players should expect similar announcements for other titles with declining player bases as part of normal industry operations.