EA’s next server shut downs to include Battlefield, Need For Speed and Tiger Woods games

El33tonline writes:

"Every year (and every few months), EA shuts down online server support for a selection (and in same cases, an entire crop) of its games to make way for the support of future online-enabled titles, ostensibly to provide better features and support for the new blood.

Last year, the biggest shock was the discontinuation of server support for EA’s Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth strategy games, and this year the list of games set to be without official online features includes games from the Battlefield, Need For Speed and Tiger Woods franchises, amongst others."

[Trunkz]

I wonder if their doing this for the coming of BF3... The servers of the August shutdown would go towards BF3 Beta servers, while the October shutdowns would go towards the launch for extra BF3 servers.

[khan_saab]

they are doing it because they are greedy and don't care about their consumers

[Bnet343]

I bet EA can shut down the BF3 servers in one year and make everyone buy a new BF every year. Ha! I don't think people realize that if EA was in Activision's place with COD, they would be just as as bad. EA has a history of making stupid DLC and charging money for it, etc. People seem to quickly forget that, IDK why. So it wouldn't suprise me that if EA had COD, they'd be making $15 map packs left and right.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

@Bnet

Lesser of two evils.

I just hope they don't shut down the BC2 servers any time soon.

[downwardspiral]

This is why it sucks that most games are strongly online based this gen and single player taking a backseat. when these games are a few years old, they're pretty much gonna be worthless because the servers are most likely gonna be down.

[Moragami]

Or maybe because it's not worth it to keep servers online for a 5 year old console-only game that nobody (Ok maybe 50 or 60 people) is playing.

You're upset that you can't play Battlefield 2: Modern Combat? You know there's dozens of better games to be playing?

Or are you mad anout the BF 2142 demo? Really? Anybody who's still playing the demo at this point has gotten more than their money's worth. If they want to play more 2142, they can buy the damned game

I think you just hate EA.

Funny how people cheer for some corporations and rally against others. In reality, there is NO such thing as a corporation that "cares". Corporations do not feel anything, and as a whole, their one and only goal is to improve their bottom line. Deal with it.

[FragMnTagM]

On XBOX Live though I think you can still play the games online.

[Hufandpuf]

@Khan_saab
So your telling me you still play those games?

[gamingdroid]

EA isn't the biggest dog and they have done all sorts of BS. Introducing online pass, shutting down servers and etc.

Activision still offers online free play with NO PASS needed, and yet to shut down any servers.

[SilentNegotiator]

LOL, I remember that they had shutdown Madden titles that were less than 2 years old.

[teething]

my issue here is not with old games having servers shut down... but with games like Madden 10. Hardly old, and support is being dropped. Meanwhile, they keep pumping out new versions every year for us to buy at 60$ a pop.

[Legion]

I recently just sold my copy of Battlefield: MC and did a test run of the online play prior to releasing the game. I found it was still populated and fun on the 360. I guess you still have your diehard fans playing games.

I wonder too if EA servers going down will mean that xbox 360 servers will not be available for the game?

I know MS shut down pre-xbox 360 server connection due to limitations of old games against new server upgrades needed. But I have yet to see any current generation games become non-playable. But there must be some out there... anyone know which titles are no longer playable due to servers being removed on xbox 360? Or PS3 for that matter?

[DeadlyFire]

Hmm... Battlefield 2 will still have operational servers. Why is this?

Not saying its bad. Just wondering why all these games have server shutdowns and older games still have servers up with no intention of ever shutting them down. Why isn't every game like that?

[subtenko]

WTF EA...wtf is wrong with yall? Sony still has servers up on their ps2 games! Back in the year 2000 even!

Agree or Disagree if you Agree that EA is a problem in the gaming industry!

[itsralf]

I understand their decision (for some of those games). I don't know anyone who still plays (or EVER played) most of those titles.

Isn't Battlefield 2 still a very popular online game, though? There's no way it's in the 1%.

[Wenis]

A lot of those aren't Sony's servers. Many of them are Gamespys or even people's personal servers. EA uses their own servers for their games though.

[PS3Freak]

Do you people expect EA to operate online servers for every online game they have ever made?

They are a business after all, and if operating a plethora of servers is hurting them, then why should they continue? The idea is ludicrous.

[KING_KAI]

i justgot tiger 10. :(

[danielle007]

Maybe not ever made, but Madden 10 and Tiger 10 aren't all that old.

EA hosts their own servers so they can be greedy and charge anyone who doesn't buy new $10, and then shuts them down two years later.

After they shut down their own server support, why can't they enable P2P? That's what Activision has, and that's why I don't buy any EA online games. .. Ever. If I like a game, I go back to it every few months.

[itsralf]

Don't complain about not getting dedicated servers then.

[Blaze929]

"But as games get replaced with newer titles, the number of players still enjoying the older games dwindles below a point—fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles—where it’s feasible to continue the behind-the-scenes work involved with keeping these games up and running."

...so why is it then EA are the only company with this issue? another load of crap from EA +

also, Maddn NFL 10? A bit soon for that don't you think EA? Seeing as Madden 11 is the only one next to that atm

[dantesparda]

This is why companies should make games with both, dedicated and p2p. Or patch the game with p2p before they are gonna shut down the servers

[hiredhelp]

Servers cost alot money, and take alot of room when you have a libary of servers its very difficult to keep everygame running. When you have a company that chucks out games on market alot more than most others.
They cant please everyone. Not forgetting the maintanance.
At least they chooseing to host there servers not take the cheap way out.

[danielle007]

It's great they host their own servers, but then they shut them down a couple years later. I agree with Dantes, they should patch it to allow P2P, so at least it can still be usable.

[hesido]

I could understand if they only removed support for games with dedicated servers, even then the decent thing would be to release server software, which I still wouldn't blame if they didn't. But removing support for peer to peer games, that's blasphemy. I'm guessing Madden was peer to peer. In a peer to peer game, the online servers only let players join each other, just act as a meeting place, and I think even IRC chat servers have quite load more than such servers.

Konami pulled the same thing too. I had bought a 2 year old PES, as I liked its gameplay better. They shut the servers 3 months later, claiming to open space for new titles. That was utter bullshit: the servers were just a meeting place for players. Players sent invitations to other players, or random matches were arranged. A basic irc server can support thousands of channels. A single peer 2 peer control server should be able to support dozens / hundreds of such "no longer popular" games, if not more.

[shayol33t]

No biggie, the PC community will make its own servers. For all the consolers, yes this is gay.

[Gran Touring]

Hard to believe the BF:2142 demo servers are still full everyday. I remember trying it out WAYYY back in 2006 XD. It's a great game though, even the demo!

[air1]

Why do they have severs if they can't or don't want to keep them up?

[Wenis]

The servers for BF2MC have been up since 2005... its not financially feasible for them to continue to keep servers for that game especially when there have been so many new BF games released since then.

[air1]

So what... If ppl are still playing it leave it alone or just use live servers or psn don't use it as a tool to cut ppl off in hopes that they will buy the latest game. So that they don't have to maintain them them selves. Unless I'm wrong and they still have to maintain them?

[theDJKNOWN]

because they want you to buy the up and coming games this fall...

[Trunkz]

That and BF3 is coming :P

[kingjoker34]

which includes this fall...

[Awesome-Xanto]

And this is why I prefer Single Player, can't turn those off...

[Quagmire]

Although publishers these days are finding ways to do that, through DLC and passess and pre-order bonuses and shit...

[jwk94]

That doesn't affect single-player...

[Quagmire]

No, i mean they cut out the SP parts and re sell them to you through DLC and Bonuses and shit like that, not turning off, but cutting away at it

[showtimefolks]

single player is where its at and where i have the most fun. I only play online when i am really interested in something AKA KZ2-3 and resistance 2 CO-OP.

and i think EA must have done some research to see if enough people were playing these games to leave the servers up.

sports games in general die out after the next one comes out just like COD

[solar]

and in a blink of an eye, EA can shut us out of our MP games.

[ManBearPork]

Well i guess it's true that the games that are being shut down really are dead online.

Because Burnout revnge is still not on the list and it was launched back in 2006.
Still going strong baby!

[Hufandpuf]

Any body can do that. It's not just EA here, and plus They aren't the only ones that have done this nor are they the only ones that do this.

[solar]

agreed Hufandpuf, but some of these games are barely 2 years old.

[Ninjamonkey82]

Bit early on the tigerwoods being its a 2010 no?

[gamerz]

They're clearly trying to establish a policy for running online servers for only one year. Don't want to buy the new version for roster updates? Maybe no online will help you decide. Shutting down NFL 10, PGA Tour 10, NCAA 10 just shows how little they regard they have for customers.

[Ninjamonkey82]

Pretty poor tbh, Im not a big fan of the Tiger franchise of late don't do anything new each year :/. But theres still plenty that buy into the game.

Im sure theres plenty like me that would prefer to hold onto an older version instead of forking out for the newer game esp if its just the same damn thing again. Shutting down the servers so soon is just uncalled for.

[Lylat_64]

Teaches the suckers for buying games from EA.

[kramun]

That sucks, I only bought TW2010 the other week.

[KING_KAI]

I BOUGHT TW2010 RECENTLY and play with my uncle i dont see that much. he has cancer and cant keep up with fast moving games. he likes golf and can play 2010 with me online, but not no more. FVCk YOU EA YOU MOTHERS CVUNTS, thanks for runing me and my dieing uncles fun. :@

[Wardog1368]

May I remind you that a '10 sports title actually came out in 2009? That's two years. No one plays sports titles online that are that old.

[danielle007]

Well, to be fair, all the dated games come out half a year early. The release date for both Madden 10 and Tiger 10 were released August 2009. So, it's been technically two years, which is still way too early, IMO.

But, at least it's not a single year. I'm still probably never going to buy an EA online game again.

[timmyp53]

Well I'm glad I got my platinum trophy while there was still a decent community. Truly a shame that MP games all must die. That's what happens when you have dedicated servers in this economy I guess =(.

[Ocelot525]

"dedicated servers in this economy"

ea shouldn't use the economy as an excuse, the game industry isn't really hit by the past crisis...

[Klaykid123]

Plus, they aren't suffering at all, they have plenty of money.

[BlackKnight]

MP doesn't have to die EVER. Instead of MP being totally gone when they remove their servers, let us continue playing on our own systems (listen servers).

Games with listen servers (meaning some one is host, many people call this "P2P", however P2P is completely different than listen servers)

COD
Halo
Gears of war (gears 3 will be a mix of dedicated and listen)
L4D (dedicated/listen mix)
GTA4
UC2/3
Practically EVERY PC game

The dev isn't running anything that will compromise the MP COMPLETELY if they shutdown their servers.

EA should take off the dedicated servers, sure, but let us run our own listen servers just like we do in the above games.

A games multiplayer is NOT dependent on the devs running a service. Stats and ease-of-use matchmaking would go away, but you could still play your games forever. However, they MAKE you NEED their servers for the sake of needing them. So if they shut down the stats/matchmaking/"login& amp; amp; quot; to their servers, your entire MP is gone.

What I think is another horrible MP life issue, is how XBL/PSN need to being running to have MP work. Meaning ALL our console games are in jeopardy. MS already shutdown xbox 1 XBL service, lets all hope Sony doesn't do the same with PS3 when PS4 is out for a while. The "life cycle" of the PS3 was claimed at 10 years, while this doesn't mean a PS4 can't come while within that life cycle, it could mean ALL your PS3 games lose PSN access in 2016. And I bet MS will shutdown all 360 games MP at some point while their new system is out.

I still play MP once and a while of games from the 90s. I should be able to, I own the game, MP has ALWAYS worked without "services", until gaming got popular and companies what to make money and force new purchases.

With crap like EA and the slightly less evil XBL/PSN, NONE of our games MP will last, they will always have an end thanks to greedy companies.

[timmyp53]

I agree my man.

[Sprudling]

A listen server is just a dedicated server inside a game client. There's nothing else to it. It's really the worst kind of server, since the whole game drops if the host disconnects and it requires that the host has a really good connection both up and down. If not it sucks for everyone except the host. P2P is preferable if you want multiplayer to never die.

The reason PC games never die is because their dedicated server software is often public, so anyone can set one up. Quake and Half-Life came with dedicated server software when you bought it.

[BlackKnight]

@Sprud

A listen server is completely different than P2P. P2P is how games like Crackdown1/2 COOP, Army of Two, and others work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Server/client is the best solution for the type of games we are talking about. Server/client has 2 forms, dedicated and listen and you stated the difference of dedicated and listen. While P2P is completely different and is even listed in the above link "Comparison to peer-to-peer architecture"

"On the other hand, the client-server model works with any size or physical layout of LAN and doesn't tend to slow down with a heavy use"

P2P works really well with a LOW amount of players, something like coop (Halo 3/reach and army of two actually use P2P while in MP vs Halo 3/Reach uses server/client listen servers.)

A listen server WORKS (just as P2P would, but in the case of most games, server/client is the best) and lets the MP work for as long as the host runs, even clever networking can assign a secondary host if the first one times out for 10 consecutive seconds.

Wouldn't you want a listen server (which is how all the above listed games work, and are very popular and reliable enough by a long shot) than absolutely no MP at all?

PC never dies because it has BOTH dedicated and listen servers. I can host many games on PC WITHOUT dedicated server software. The idea of dedicated servers is simply having more of the PC resources put toward acting as a server and not the other needs a client normally has.

[killerhog]

This is why you shouldn't support 'online passes' you're paying for the online portion and yet EA can shut the servers down when they wish

[Apocwhen]

This is also why games should not do online multiplayer trophies too.

Once the servers are shutdown you can never achieve them.

[ZombieAssassin]

Noo, not Battlefield Modern Combat that's my favorite FPS ever...although I think they only had about 3 servers left and they were always full. Still even though I don't have a 360 anymore it still saddens me to see it being taken down as I always planned on buying another 360 mainly just to play it again.

[titans9999]

i agree with snake doctor, and this makes it more important to have single player off line...i wonder if live weather will still work in tiger woods 10

[xtremegamerage]

I hated 2142.

BF2 Was awesome.

BF3 i want now!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ascalon94]

BF2 still is awesome

[snowman2149]

I dont know about you, but I understand why they're doing it. They cant just waste money on servers for games that one plays anymore! especially since they're gonna need everything they have for BF3 & their other upcoming games.

[killerhog]

Oh okay so if I buy NFL 11 next year new for 29.99 (which EA gets a profit) EA can shut the online portion the week after?? Or let's try this scenario. If I buy NFL 11 used next year and pay 10-15$ for the online pass EA can shut the server down the week after? Why even implement online passes if they can't waste money on servers then? Seems online passes is a strategy by developers to ensure people buy their newer products and not really combat used games/old games

[maniacmayhem]

thanks for buying our EA pass ... come again.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Actually this is something I was thinking about as I read this. In the past EA hosted the services at no cost but now they are charging a one time fee for access to play... Anyone think their could be legal recourse if they shut down a games servers that used the $10 pass?

Just food for thought..

[maniacmayhem]

Not only that but now you have a game just sitting there with no support. What do you do with it? Keep it and let it collect dust?

[Hufandpuf]

Simple solution, don't buy used.

[maniacmayhem]

No, a choice at a store for a cheaper game, i buy cheaper. If EA is forcing to buy new they should keep the functionality alive.

[Ninja-KiLLR]

i find it very hard to believe that they still have demo servers up for a game that came out like 6 years ago. although bf2 modern combat is one of my all time favorite games with some of the best and worst maps that for some reason has been forgotten by EA. they will bring maps from battlefield 1942 but not modern combat. i would kill to play either bridgetofar, backstab, or thenest again. btw i never understood why they combined the names together.

[Ascalon94]

I dont think Medal of Honor: Airborne ever came out for PSP?? TBH I dont think many people even played BF2:MC because that game was pretty bad.

[Lylat_64]

Didn't you play BF2:MC? Twas awesome.

[Ascalon94]

haha I didnt really like it, BF2 on the PC tho is one of the best FPS's ever.

[Lylat_64]

Ah, yeah it is :) I loved BF2:MC on the original Xbox, was the reason I bought a 360 :P

[HelghastSoldier1]

wow for a minute i thought bad company 1 online was going down!!! but no, thankfully its still up but who knows when EA will shut the servers down, i need to get those online trophies fast!

[headhunter]

BFBC1 serevers are still filling up constantly they won't take them

[PSWarlord]

Dont shut down BF1943, its my only reason for turning on my ps3 at the moment!That and 42" porn!But i will be busy soon with BF3 UC3 Batman AC just too name a few

[gamerz]

Oh man... I loved the demo and was on the fence on buying it or not since I loved BF1942. Being it's from EA was the deciding factor not to. Soooo glad now. Vote with your wallet, Boycott EA.

[PSWarlord]

Thats a shame because I would put BF1943 in my Top 5 FPS of all time, up there with Counterstrike and COD4!

With BF I love the fact that a game can last upto and past 30 minutes. It really draws you in not like COD where you play 5 mins then wait 30 seconds and repeat!Its quite annoying and I have to some reason play longer on COD to get my FPS fix and usually finish frustrated...Im not shit either i think im 3.00+ KDR!Im pretty sure but add me and then check PSWarlord.

But I can go on and on but its my opinion and everyones different but I for one will not be buying a COD game until they evolve their franchise

[Wardog1368]

That won't get shut down anytime soon. People are still buying it and playing it. Not to mention some people will be getting it for free with BF3.

[headhunter]

BF 1943 comes with BF3 so they won't be shutting down the servers for 1943 for some time

[bozebo]

Demos and bad/empty games.

[headhunter]

I agree with ya bozebo I dont see anytihng in the list to get all "boycott ea!!!!"about and if you read in terms and conditions i do believe all they have to give is 30 days notice so no lawsuit to all who love to jump on that band wagon

[ninjablaze]

Wow EA is so stupid, I can't believe some of you are defending this shit.

most of those games are only a few years old.

[DanSolo]

Actually if you look at the list.... SOME of the games are only a few years old, and most of those are not particularly successful like Army of 2.

MOST of what is getting shut down is old games, demos and games with low online numbers.

I am no fanboy of any console, game or developer... I find the notion of fanboyism to be pathetic so I certainly as not cheering for EA and saying they are great... but there needs to be some perspective here.... other than madden and tigerwoods 10 there is nothing particularly bad about them shutting those servers down.... yeah maybe some people still love playing a demo from years ago.... but then they should just go buy the game.... it's a demo, it's hardly gonna be left online forever!

EDIT: if however they are shutting down servers like Battlefield 2... that is a bit of a cynical move, as those games still have a decent following... the thing is they don't have to do that... once Battlefield 3 comes out the vast majority of BF2 players will be getting that anyway, so the numbers of BF2 players will drop and EA could stop those servers with little to no complaints!

[Elwenil]

They are only shutting down the BF2:MC servers for the Xbox console versions, not the actual BF2 PC game which has dedicated servers and will probably be online for years to come. The majority of gamers may swap to BF3 when it comes out but I know a lot of guys who are still going to play BF2 for Project Reality and other mods until mods get made for BF3.

[SuicidalTendencies]

I just bought Battlefield 2 again for $10 at Gamestop recently. Had it for the original Xbox. That is exactly why they are shutting these games down. They don't want anyone buying these games used and playing them online. They want you to buy the newer used games that have an online pass you have to pay for.

[Saryk]

If those games mentioned have LAN or players can make a server then I see no problem. However if they can't then screw EA!

[MerkinMax]

I really wanted to try time trial on Mirrors Edge pc yesterday, but to my dismay that games been killed already...

[RockmanII7]

Wow NHL 10 and Madden 10 are going down? Those games aren't even 2 years old yet. Say what you will about CoD and Activision but I can still play CoD2 online, which is 6 years old.

[MorbidPorpoise]

To bad so many people still stick up for EA with this shit.

[Der_Kommandant]

When Chromehounds servers went offline it was one of the saddest days ever

[DanSolo]

lol well I don't see how anyone can complain about the majority of that list.... old games, old demos, and games that hardly anyone plays...

But the Tiger Woods and Madden 10 seems a bit harsh.... surely games that get yearly updates should still run for at least 3 years (unless the numbers playing have dropped too low).

[Lex Luthor]

One of the many reasons why an online pass is stupid.

[coolasj]

They even shutdown Madden 10 servers already.

[jack who]

p2p wins again

edit below
halo 2 was taken off line to imprvoe xbl while EA and every one else with non p2p online takes theirs offline too sucker you into buying the new version

[fullmetal297]

LOL what about halo 2?

No, halo 2 was taken offline because Microsoft didn't want to keep paying for the servers of a 10 year old game. Halo 2, along with all the EA games mentioned, run their games from p2p servers so saying "p2p wins" would be a contradiction.

[fullmetal297]

One of the advantages to PC gaming and dedicated servers. The gamer buys a dedicated server and does whatever the hell he wants with it and nobody can't say anything because it's his, until he chooses to stop paying for it.

[Series_IIa]

I still play skate. :(

[gcolley]

servers should not be shut down while the console is still going. this is just bad customer support from EA, especially if some of these games are available for direct download..

[Raven_Nomad]

Typical EA BS. They are the worst company around now days. Same Madden, NHL games every year. They force Bioware to rush their games, they shut down servers of games less then a year old. SMDH.

[helghast102]

When was the last time any of you complainers actually played any of these games?
Yeah that's right.
This really is a non-issue.

[kingnick]

I bought Crysis 2 but if it had the online pass BS I would have passed over it.

It's bad enough that we're treated like criminals and have to enter a code to access multiplayer but then they phase out said multiplayer when it suits them.

[slaton24]

well if we are gettin this sort of bullshit now with passes and the early shutdowns just imagine how bad next gen of gamin will turn out....ps4 pay 2 play and every game u must buy a pass seperatly...if shit like that happens screw them all if we stop buyin into the bullshit they will have to stop

[badvlad]

no more laggin out servers wit shotgun on bfmc2 ; (