Need For Speed Rivals Has Officially Become a History
Need for Speed: Rivals, released in 2013, was remembered as one of the series’ most beloved games. However, Electronic Arts has made the long-awaited decision to end the game’s online multiplayer support. Rivals will now be playable only in single-player mode. This development marks the end of an era for fans who have enjoyed the game’s “cop vs. racer” rivalry online for years.
EA Enters a New Era in the Need for Speed Series
Earlier this year, EA announced that it would discontinue online services for some of its older games, including Need for Speed: Rivals. In line with this plan, Rivals officially went offline as of October 7th. Players will still be able to experience the game’s story mode, but online races and co-op events will no longer be available.
While this decision was expected for a game that has been around for over a decade, it struck a chord with fans. Rivals, with its “AllDrive” system that combined single-player and online experiences, stood out as one of the most innovative racing games of its time.
Furthermore, EA’s decision also signals a strategic restructuring for the studio. It’s being claimed that Rivals developer Criterion Games will now focus entirely on the Battlefield series. This leaves the future of the Need for Speed franchise uncertain. Some rumors suggest EA may temporarily shelved the series.
Over the past few years, EA has shut down more than 60 servers for its legacy games. It was also announced that Madden NFL 22 and FIFA 23 will lose online support at the end of October. While these decisions reduce operational costs for the company, for nostalgic gamers, the end of Rivals signals the “end of the Need for Speed era.”
Now, Need for Speed: Rivals will live on only in memory and single-player mode. October 7, 2025, marks the official end of an era for racing fans.
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