Electronic Arts hosted the arcade racing game Need for Speed Rivals on 7 October. It announced that it will officially close in 2025. This decision means saying goodbye to the game's cult multiplayer modes. Relevant notifications were published on game pages on Steam, EA App, PS Store and Xbox Store, informing players that their access to online features and related achievements would soon end.
Released in 2013, Need for Speed Rivals introduced a unique dynamic for clashes between racers and police in the open world of the fictional Radview County. The game is remembered for its AllDrive system, which was innovative for its time and eliminated the boundaries between single-player and multiplayer modes. This system allowed players to seamlessly join or leave other players' worlds.
Legacy of Need for Speed Rivals
NFS Rivals stood out not only with its dynamic gameplay, but also with its visual presentation and atmosphere. The open world of the game was filled with countless secrets and side quests waiting to be discovered. Players could build a career, whether as a ruthless police officer or an adrenaline-addicted racer, customizing their vehicles and improving their abilities.
EA's Approach to Old Games
This decision continues EA's tradition of phasing out the servers of old games in the series. A similar fate previously befell Need for Speed (2015) and NFS Payback. However, Rivals broke a record with its servers running uninterruptedly for 12 years. The closure of the servers will be the symbolic end of an era, leaving behind unforgettable memories of police chases and street races.
The Future of the Game and What It Means for Players
The closure of the servers does not mean that the game will become completely unplayable. Single-player mode and offline features will still be available. However, the end of the multiplayer experience means the disappearance of one of the game's most important features. This is a sad development, especially for players who have devoted years to the game and become part of the online community.
So what does this mean for the future of the Need for Speed series? This decision by EA may be an indication that the company wants to focus its resources on new and current projects. Perhaps this heralds a new beginning for the Need for Speed series. We hope that in the future, innovative and exciting new games will be released that will satisfy fans of the series. It should not be forgotten that although Need for Speed Rivals ends online, it will continue to live in the hearts of the players.
