Former employee suggests Anthem could return as traditional BioWare singleplayer RPG for $10 million
Anthem’s untimely demise following EA’s decision to shut down the official servers has left many players grieving for the lost potential of the sci-fi game. However, former executive producer Mark Darrah has suggested a resurrection plan for Anthem in the form of a single-player RPG with a modest budget of $10 million.
Darrah envisions reviving Anthem by updating it for modern consoles, enhancing graphics, and improving performance. He proposes transitioning to locally hosted servers to eliminate ongoing operating expenses, a shift that would rely on player donations to cover costs akin to City Of Heroes’ model. The crux of Darrah’s proposal involves refocusing Anthem as a narrative-driven single-player experience, emphasizing the creation of AI companions to accompany players through the story.
The challenge lies in designing AI party members that feel dynamic and memorable, a task that Darrah believes BioWare’s expertise can accomplish. By introducing new characters with unique personalities and story arcs, players would have the opportunity to cultivate relationships with these companions as they progress through Anthem’s campaign. Darrah acknowledges the effort required to make AI-controlled characters engaging and functional, emphasizing the need to ensure that these companions contribute meaningfully to gameplay.
Despite the potential of this reimagined Anthem as a BioWare-style RPG sans multiplayer elements, Darrah predicts that selling the game at a standard AAA price point may not be feasible. He anticipates resistance from EA due to the departure from their prior plans for Anthem Next, an ambitious live service reboot that never materialized. Darrah warns that the proposed single-player iteration may not reach the sales numbers typical of major releases, but he remains optimistic about the appeal to players seeking a narrative-driven experience.
In reflecting on the broader landscape of game preservation, Darrah highlights the risk of media disappearing due to decisions by rights holders. He points to instances like Disney’s shelved Willow TV series and DC’s unreleased content as examples of lost potential in the gaming industry. Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding Anthem’s potential revival, Darrah’s vision for a single-player RPG adaptation showcases a strategic approach to breathing new life into a beleaguered title. With a focus on storytelling and character development, this reimagined Anthem could offer a fresh experience for players seeking a rich narrative journey in a familiar yet reimagined world.