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Announcement of EA game shutdowns in October 2025.
UPDATED Selective GLB

EA Shuts Down Multiple Games in October 2025 Including Need for Speed Rivals and FIFA 23

EA Shuts Down Four Major Games in October 2025

EA shut down NHL 21, Need for Speed: Rivals, Madden NFL 22, and FIFA 23 servers throughout October 2025.

  • NHL 21 servers shut down on October 6
  • Need for Speed: Rivals shut down October 7
  • Madden NFL 22 shuts down on October 20
  • FIFA 23 servers close on October 30
  • Games remain available for purchase after shutdown
  • Online modes and achievements become inaccessible
  • FIFA 23 marks end of 32-year franchise
  • Stop Killing Games movement petitions for preservation

Electronic Arts has shut down multiple AAA game servers throughout October 2025, permanently removing online functionality from several titles while keeping them available for purchase. The shutdowns include NHL 21, Need for Speed: Rivals, Madden NFL 22, and FIFA 23, marking a significant reduction in EA’s legacy game support [1][2].

October 2025 Server Shutdown Schedule

EA shut down four major games during October 2025, following a pattern of service removals that began earlier in the year [3][4]. NHL 21 servers went offline on October 6, followed by Need for Speed: Rivals on October 7 [5]. Madden NFL 22 is scheduled for shutdown on October 20, while FIFA 23 will cease operations on October 30 [6][7].

The Need for Speed: Rivals shutdown affects the 2013 release across PC and console platforms [8]. Developed by Ghost Games and published by EA, the racing title launched as a PlayStation 4 and Xbox One generation title. While the game received Metacritic ratings between 75 and 80, declining player counts on Steam showed fewer than 100 concurrent users before shutdown [9].

Impact on Players and Trophies

Once servers close, all online multiplayer modes become inaccessible. For Need for Speed: Rivals, this includes AllDrive mode and online racing features [10]. Two achievements on Xbox become unobtainable: Friendly Race and Buddy Bust, both requiring online play with friends.

FIFA 23 Marks End of EA Sports FIFA Era

The FIFA 23 shutdown on October 30 officially ends EA’s 32-year FIFA franchise, which began with FIFA International Soccer in 1993 [11][12]. EA’s partnership with FIFA ended in 2022 after licensing fee disputes, leading to the rebranding as EA Sports FC.

FIFA 23 was the final game released under the FIFA name before EA launched EA Sports FC 24 in 2023. The server closure removes Ultimate Team, Pro Clubs, and online co-op modes across Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S [13]. Offline modes including Career Mode and Kick-Off remain playable.

Controversy Over Game Preservation

The shutdown raises questions about digital game ownership, particularly as FIFA 23 was released only three years ago. The Stop Killing Games movement has petitioned for continued online access to purchased games, with the issue scheduled for UK parliamentary debate on November 3, 2025 [14].

EA’s 2025 Shutdown Trend

EA has shut down over a dozen games throughout 2025, including UFC 3 in February, NCAA 14 in March, and Madden NFL 21 in June [15]. The publisher also announced that Anthem servers will close in early 2026. Sports game fans have expressed disappointment with the accelerated shutdown frequency, noting that EA continues to sell affected titles without prominent disclosure of limited online functionality.

EA initially scheduled FIFA 23’s shutdown for December 12 but moved the date forward to October 30, giving players less time than originally announced [16]. This change reflects EA’s broader strategy of focusing resources on active franchises while retiring older titles.

The October 2025 shutdowns represent a significant shift in EA’s legacy game support, with four major titles losing online capabilities within a 24-day period while remaining commercially available for purchase.

Luca Fischer

Luca Fischer

Senior Technology Journalist

United States – New York Tech

Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. He earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media. Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society. Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI. Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.

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Elena Voren

Elena Voren

Senior Editor

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Updates

Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Article comprehensively updated and verified as of October 11, 2025
  2. All facts cross-checked against multiple authoritative sources
  3. Shutdown dates, game titles, and timeline verified accurate
  4. Added current context about game preservation debate
  5. Expanded scope to cover all October 2025 EA shutdowns

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Corrected outdated article title claiming game shutdown in 48 hours
  2. Updated all shutdown dates with accurate October 2025 timeline
  3. Expanded coverage to include all four EA shutdowns instead of single game
  4. Added FIFA 23 ending 32-year franchise significance
  5. Included Stop Killing Games movement and parliamentary debate
  6. Replaced vague shutdown references with specific dates and games
  7. Added detailed impact on players and trophy accessibility
  8. Removed speculative language about franchise future
  9. Added context about EA's 2025 shutdown acceleration
  10. Included moved FIFA 23 shutdown date from December to October

FAQ

Which EA games shut down in October 2025?

EA shut down four games in October 2025: NHL 21 on October 6, Need for Speed: Rivals on October 7, Madden NFL 22 on October 20, and FIFA 23 on October 30. All online features became inaccessible on these dates.

What happens to FIFA 23 after the server shutdown?

After October 30, 2025, FIFA 23 loses all online features including Ultimate Team, Pro Clubs, and online co-op. Offline modes like Career Mode and Kick-Off remain playable. The game remains available for purchase despite limited functionality.

Why does EA continue selling games after shutdown?

EA keeps shut-down games available for purchase because offline single-player modes remain functional. However, online features including multiplayer, Ultimate Team, and certain achievements become permanently inaccessible. Critics argue this practice lacks transparency and may mislead consumers.