The announcement of the early closure of Anthem in 2026 has sparked intense debate within the video game industry, reigniting the Stop Killing Games initiative. This MMORPG, which was launched in 2019 and received largely negative feedback, will be extinguished after seven years of existence, leaving players without the possibility of accessing its content once the server is shut down.
A failure they knew was going to happen
Mark Darrah, former executive producer of Anthem, has expressed his discontent regarding this situation. During a recent interview with YouTuber MrMattyPlays, Darrah explained that the game could have been designed differently, allowing for its continuity even after the developers closed support. However, he indicated that this would be complicated given the current structures of multiplayer game design.
Darrah made an analogy with toxic waste management, suggesting that, just as society has decided not to allow chemical companies to pollute ecosystems, it should also consider the costs associated with preserving video games. “It’s a cost we must be willing to bear,” he said. As an example, he mentioned Destiny’s peer-to-peer hosting system as a possible solution to keep games operational after their creators withdraw support.
The disappearance of games like Anthem and The Crew not only affects players who have invested time and money, but it is also a blow to developers who see their efforts and creativity vanish. Darrah suggested that, with some compromises in terms of quality and player experience, it would be possible to avoid the definitive closure of these titles, raising questions about the future and sustainability of games in the industry.
