EA Shutting Down Four Games Forever in October

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Electronic Arts (EA), often referred to simply as EA, plans to close down four of its video games in October. Once these games are closed, they will remain closed permanently. The positive aspect is that three out of the four games are primarily older sports titles with minimal current relevance. However, the fourth game holds more significance, particularly for racing enthusiasts. Importantly, the shutdowns are scheduled to occur at separate times rather than all happening simultaneously.

On October 6, we’ll experience the first downtime and that’s when NHL 21 will take over. However, this isn’t particularly significant for obvious reasons. The following shutdown on October 7, though, is more intriguing. At this time, Electronic Arts (EA) will be turning off Need for Speed Rivals, the 2013 edition of their popular racing game series. It’s worth mentioning that Need for Speed Rivals is the 20th installment in the Need for Speed franchise and was developed by Ghost Games, who took over from Criterion Games during the 2010s. In the annals of Need for Speed games, it’s generally considered a mid-tier title, neither the best nor the worst, as indicated by its Metacritic score range of 75 to 80.

Following this announcement, on October 20th, Madden NFL 22 will cease operation. On October 30th, the shutdown process for all games will be concluded with FIFA 23 being turned off. It’s important to note that these changes affect all platforms, so users of PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo will all experience the impact. This applies to both previous-generation consoles like Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, as well as the latest versions such as PS5, Xbox Series X, and future releases like Nintendo Switch 2.

As a devoted gamer, I’ve come to expect the unexpected from EA, as they often keep their cards close to their chest when it comes to game shutdowns. From what I gather, it’s a mix of licensing issues and server maintenance that has doomed these four games. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. There’s always a glimmer of hope that Need for Speed Rivals might make a comeback someday, perhaps as a nostalgic re-release or remaster, but it’s not set in stone. As for the sports games, I fear they’ve reached their final whistle. Until then, the online features are still functional, and you can still grab each game from various digital marketplaces.

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2025-08-02 00:42