A former BioWare producer has expressed interest in rebootingAnthem, an ambitious live service title from 2019 that never reached its full potential. ThoughAnthemhas something of a cult following, any attempt at a comeback will be under the strain of its associated problems.
Ben Irving, an executive producer at Crystal Dynamics and formerly a lead producer at BioWare, recentlybrought up his interest in bringing backAnthem. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) from earlier this month, Irving mentions that he’d love to reboot Anthem one day. He continued in a repost, saying “It’s amazing how many people are still so enthusiastic about Anthem so many years later.” DespiteAnthemshutting down two years after release, Irving’s post still saw an enthused response from many fans—proving that the game still has an audience.
An Anthem Reboot Would Have To Struggle Against The Original’s Reputation And BioWare’s Disinterest
However,despiteAnthemcontinuing to receive attention, the title has a lot holding it back from a renaissance. Not only was the game unsuccessful, but its history was one of controversy and heavy critique. Furthermore, BioWare has moved on fromAnthem; though the IP was once destined to kickstart a new franchise for the studio, there’s little reason for it to revisit the game now.
Anthem Lacked A Strong Concept
Anthemwas originally codenamed “Project Dylan,” a reference to Bob Dylan and, by extension, the cultural impact BioWare believed the game would have. Despite these lofty goals,Anthemended up being a fairly banal looter-shooter, lacking in both content and a way to draw in players. In a similar fashionto this year’sConcord,Anthemwas entering a competitive space with neither big IP backing nor a substantially unique premise—with its marketing centering on some typical sci-fi trappings. This was highlighted by the game’s E3 2018 showing, which was stingy on details and proper gameplay footage.
WhatAnthemdoes have is its flying mechanic, perhaps the aspect most lauded by fans. The movement offered by flight, especially through lush, open spaces, had great promise. On the other hand, the system is still held back by the lack of things to do beyond dull grinding. In that respect,Anthemhad the same issue asFallout 76—launching with a roadmap of content that wasn’t in the game yet. WhereFallout 76had the strength of its IP to fall back on, though, gamers simply didn’t give its unknown counterpart the time of day. If BioWare ever wants to bring backAnthem, it should lean into its singleplayer strengths, deliver more quantity and variety in content, and center the title around flight.
Anthem’s Development Was Beyond Troubled
Mechanical flaws may not be the biggest hindrance toAnthem’s return, though. Jason Schreier’s Kotaku article"How BioWare’sAnthemWent Wrong"exposed justhow problematicAnthem’s development truly was, with the piece becoming a key factor in the game’s downfall. In this article, an anonymous employee claimed that “depression and anxiety are an epidemic within Bioware,” while another reported that bothMass Effect: AndromedaandAnthemhad ‘stress casualties’—an internal term for developers who had to leave BioWare for up to three months due to an immensity of mental turmoil.
Though BioWare, in a statement posted minutes after the article was released, partially rebuked these allegations (claiming “the health and well-being of our team members is something we take very seriously”), the studio was simply unable to turn the tide of public opinion. The weight of these reports combined withAnthem’s poor state on launchsaw a game that sold millions of copies become bereft of players. Considering how much fans are enjoyingDragon Age: The Veilguard, which many are calling a return to form for BioWare, there’s little reason for the studio to try and reviveAnthemand its controversial reputation.
Anthem
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash Your Power. In a world left unfinished by the gods, a shadowy faction threatens all humankind. Only you stand between the Dominion and the ancient power they covet. Team up as heroes in this cooperative action-RPG from BioWare™ and EA.Forge Your Javelin Arsenal: Choose from four powerful Javelin exosuits each time you enter the world, customizing each to fit your playstyle and show off your achievements.Explore an Ever-Changing World: Powered by Frostbite, the Anthem™’s open world features unpredictable conditions and enemies which evolve over time throughout the live service.Meet Memorable Characters: Discover a gripping story filled with unique and memorable characters within the walls of Fort Tarsis.Take on Challenges as a Team: Join with up to three other players and venture into danger with combat that rewards teamwork.
