BioWare's Anthem likely won't be out until early 2019, according to a report

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It's still officially slated for late 2018, but a source says that window is not "realistic."

BioWare said last summer that Anthem, the online multiplayer shooter that bears a more-than-passing resemblance to Destiny, was expected to be out in the fall of 2018. That target window remains posted on the official Anthem YouTube channel. But an in-depth Kotaku report on the state of the game's development cites a source saying that window was "never realistic," and that it will in fact not arrive until early 2019. 

One of the reasons the game is likely to take longer than originally anticipated is the amount that's riding on its success. The report says that both of BioWare's remaining studios, in Edmonton and Austin, are "all-in on Anthem," and Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah tweeted this morning that he's working on it as well. (He also re-confirmed that a new Dragon Age is in development, although the Kotaku report says there's currently only a "small team" working on it.) 

Further complicating the matter is widespread discontent with Destiny 2, which could result in heightened expectations for Anthem (and less patience for inevitable growing pains), and the backlash against loot boxes, which will almost inevitably be a part of Anthem's design. At the very least, it's a tough environment for a game like this, and the stakes are high: One developer said that there's concern that if Anthem stumbles, the consequences for BioWare could be dire. 

Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.