Beloved EA Games You Can No Longer Play

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Summary

  • Titanfall, GRID, and Battlefield 3 are among many beloved EA titles that are now unplayable due to delisting.
  • Despite critical acclaim, sequels, and nostalgia, these games are no longer accessible.
  • Licensing issues or dwindling player bases contribute to the disappearance of these once-popular titles.

Though Electronic Arts isn’t typically known for its friendly business practices, the vast collection of video games it produces under its 20 studios has earned the affection of countless gamers. However, either due to a shrinking player community or because they need licenses and likenesses, many EA games are no longer available for purchase through digital marketplaces, or have become impossible to play altogether.

Instead of the original games being replaced by sequels, Electronic Arts (EA) has stopped making many of its earlier games available for most people to play, as they seem to focus more on sequels or titles that don’t immediately grab their attention.

8. Titanfall

The Xbox-Exclusive Cross-Generation Mecha Shooter Original

Despite the fact that Titanfall 2, the 2016 multiplatform first-person shooter sequel by Respawn Entertainment, has earned critical praise and a reputation for featuring “one of gaming’s most heartwarming buddy-robot partnerships,” it’s unfortunate to note that the original sci-fi combat game in the series is no longer accessible.

Initially launched exclusively on Microsoft devices such as the Xbox One and Xbox 360, the game “Titanfall” was taken down from digital marketplaces on March 1, 2022 – nearly eight years after its initial release. Although the servers for this multiplayer-only game have been maintained for those who already own it, newcomers interested in playing Electronic Arts’ first mecha combat title will need to seek out its sequel or alternative options.

7. GRID (2019)

The Award-Winning Reboot Of One Of Racing’s Most Notable IPs

2019’s GRID, which won the title of ‘Best Racing Game’ and boasts an impressive continuation of its predecessor with spot-on cars, tracks, physics, and gameplay, remains a game that many find worth purchasing even today. Launched on eighth-generation consoles, GRID’s emphasis on intelligent AI racers and Codemasters’ demonstrated skill in crafting high-quality racing games positions it as a title that seems capable of carrying on the series’ nearly 20-year legacy.

On November 30th, 2023, the game titled GRID was discreetly taken off the market. This action wasn’t limited to console marketplaces but extended to subscription services like EA Play and Xbox Game Pass, which saw changes in their libraries as well. Despite its sequel, GRID Legends from 2022 still being accessible, those seeking to play the original reboot of the series now find themselves out of options.

6. Battlefield 3

Arguably One Of The Battlefield Series’ Most Universally Beloved Entries

Alongside games like Battlefield 4 and Battlefield: Hardline, it was announced that Battlefield 3 would no longer be available on digital platforms by Electronic Arts starting June 28, 2024. Unlike the other two titles, which can still be played on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems, Battlefield 3, being a seventh-generation console game, has become obsolete.

As a diehard Battlefield fan, I’ve been saddened by the fact that the game, often referred to as EA’s response to Call of Duty, has been disappearing from digital storefronts and subscription services on Xbox. This move leaves its iconic campaign in the annals of gaming history. But if you manage to get your hands on a physical copy or play it on PC where it’s still available, you’ll still appreciate its groundbreaking destructible environments and modern combat scenes that redefined the genre.

5. Project Cars (1 & 2)

The Inaugural Entries Of EA’s Still Evolving Racing Franchise

Back in the day, when they said Project CARS was one of the toughest yet gratifying racing sims I’ve ever played, it felt like the series had a strong foothold in the gaming world. Sadly, that all changed after the IP got acquired by Codemasters three years ago. The two Project CARS racing games, which were made by Slightly Mad Studios when they were still independent, were taken down from digital stores.

In light of expiring car and track licenses, the games remain playable for those who have previously purchased them, whether physically or digitally. Despite this, the franchise has been put on hold due to concerns about its longer-term growth potential. However, the series’ arcade-style sequel, Project CARS 3, is still accessible, and the mobile spin-off, Project CARS GO, has also been taken off the market.

4. Army Of Two: The 40th Day

The Critically Acclaimed Pinnacle Of The Co-Op Third-Person Shooter Series

Although Nolan North delivered an impressive portrayal of Elliot Salem, one of the main characters in Army of Two: The 40th Day, and the game featured a complex narrative with ethical quandaries, EA Montreal’s 2010 third-person shooter is no longer accessible on digital marketplaces.

Instead of presenting a sophisticated weapon customization system alongside a witty but sarcastic storyline, Army of Two: The 40th Day featured cooperative gameplay before many modern multiplayer-only games like A Way Out and Chained Together were even created. As the highest-rated title in a series of experimental third-person shooters, Army of Two: The 40th Day (and its sequel Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel) still exist today due to physical copies and the original 2008 release being compatible with Xbox backwards compatibility.

3. Rocket Arena

A Creative Merging Of Party-Game Mechanics & Hero-Shooter Personality

In contrast to its past as a “fascinating blend of other well-known multiplayer games” that had the potential to become the next groundbreaking multiplayer shooter, Final Strike Games’ third-person hero-shooter game Rocket Arena, with its arcade style, is now considered a 2020 video game relic.

Although Rocket Arena integrates features from popular games like Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., and Fortnite, some players argue that its transition to a paid model within a free-to-play-style multiplayer environment has been its main drawback. The game’s developers, Final Strike Games, have emphasized the positive aspects of their community, including kindness, care, and camaraderie, but they have announced that they will be shutting down the game’s servers on March 21, 2024. Despite not being available on any storefront, the developers have continued to maintain other online games such as Fallout 76, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Fortnite.

2. The Godfather

A Blockbuster Reimagining Of Coppola’s First Two Godfather Motion Pictures

Given the almost unanimous praise for Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather films, it seems logical that Electronic Arts would consider adapting this classic gangster series into video games. However, with the shutdown of PlayStation Store and Xbox Marketplace in 2021 and 2023, respectively, and the removal of The Godfather and The Godfather 2 from Steam in 2014, these games are no longer accessible for play.

Developer EA Redwood Shores aimed to blend the expansive environments of games like Grand Theft Auto and the epic storylines of The Godfather films in their endeavor to establish a reputation. However, with EA lamenting that the appeal of licensed games is waning (“the bloom is really off the rose for licensed games”), the adaptation of the third Godfather movie was scrapped. Instead, series like Mafia have continued to create gangster-themed games set in historical periods.

1. Knockout City

A Beloved & Critically Lauded Action-Sports Title With Limited PC Support

Despite its initial popularity, EA’s massive 2021 release, Knockout City, has become unplayable for modern gamers due to a decision by developer Velan Studios. On February 02, 2023, they announced that the game would be removed from digital stores and its servers would be shut down within the year, a move deemed necessary and crucial for the studio.

As a gamer, it was refreshing to discover a standout free-to-play title like Knockout City amidst the sea of online games. It truly outshone many others in its category. Unfortunately, its absence from console digital storefronts and the shutdown of its servers meant that the game could only be found on PC. However, a ray of hope emerged when a private server version was made public towards the end of Knockout City’s lifespan, ensuring that this beloved game would continue to thrive – “keeping Knockout City alive and well for gaming enthusiasts like myself.

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2025-01-22 10:24