Electronic Arts, which is commonly known as EA, is one of the world's biggest video gaming companies, which was founded in 1982 and has headquarters in California, USA. EA is very well-known for creating and demonstrating a broad variety of incredibly popular video games across several genres, from sports and racing to action and life simulation, EA has displayed everything.

This company has participated in some globally recognized franchises like FIFA, which is now EA Sports FC, The Sims, Need for Speed, Battlefield, Apex Legends, and Madden NFL. Games like these have created a maddening fan base and communities globally, and they continue to shape the gaming industry. EA has worked with both in-house studios like DICE and Respawn Entertainment and has worked with major brands like the NFL, UFC, and Formula 1, making it a powerful company in both casual and competitive gaming environments.

When and What happens?

EA is officially shutting down the online servers for Need for Speed Rivals on October 7, 2025. After this date, all the online features, which include multiplayer races, leaderboards, cross-play events, and Xbox-specific online achievements, will no longer be available. Although offline gameplay will still be accessible, allowing players to continue enjoying the single-player mode.

This shutdown of the server particularly affects Xbox users, as two online-only achievements, Friendly Race and Buddy Bust, will become unavailable. This news has devastated many players, and many of them have turned to community platforms like TrueAchievements to coordinate last-minute sessions and help one another complete these achievements before the deadline.

Fans and gaming forums have expressed their sadness over the loss of the game's unique online experience while also rallying together to make the most of its final months.

About Need for Speed Rivals

Need for Speed Rivals was first released in November 2013 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, and then it was later made available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This game was developed by Ghost Games, formerly known as EA Gothenburg, in collaboration with Criterion Games, and it was built using the powerful Frostbite 3 engine, which was known for its realistic graphics and very immersive gameplay.

For the 20th installment in the long duration of the Need for Speed franchise, Rivals marked a turning point as it was the first title fully developed by Ghost Games. The seamless integration of single-player and multiplayer modes is what set the whole game apart, and due to this, the players could instantly switch between playing solo or racing against real players in a shared open world.

Why the Shutdown?

Did you know that the actual reason for the shutdown of the Need for Speed Rivals online service is due to the decrease in the game's active player count, making it no longer cost-effective for EA to maintain the servers and the losses? As online infrastructure is built such that it requires continuous running of the game, companies often evaluate whether the number of players still engaging with a game justifies those costs. In this case, the answer was no.

This move of shutting down Need for Speed Rivals is an act by EA for the broader strategy of phasing out older titles to refocus the resources on the upcoming and better newer projects. In the recent period, EA has retired online services for other games like Mirror's Edge Catalyst, Crysis 3, and NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, and it has already announced the upcoming shutdown of Anthem in early 2026.

Community Reaction

The news of Need for Speed Rivals online shutting down gave rise to disappointment and nostalgia across many gaming communities, especially on Reddit. Longtime fans and supporters who have been loyal to the game have shared heartfelt messages like "Rest in peace, NFS Rivals online multiplayer!" and "One of the best NFS games… It breaks my heart," which reflects how impactful the game was on the players all around the world. It also gave rise to the #StopKillingGames movement, where the fans are advocating why the online games that still have active fans are stopping and are fighting to preserve such games.

What You Should Do Before October

As the news has hit of the game shutting down on October 7, 2025, players, especially on Xbox, should prioritize unlocking the two online-only achievements, Friendly Race and Buddy Bust, before they become permanently unavailable. Many gamers are joining the community-led sessions on platforms like TrueAchievements to team up and complete these goals; the fans who have completed the game will help you complete it too that is what the community is for. After the shutdown, the players can still enjoy the game in the offline mode by racing against AI, so it's worth holding onto the game even after its online features disappear.

Final Thoughts

EA's decision to end Need for Speed Rivals online services marks the close of a unique era in racing games. While solo gameplay still remains intact, the heart of what made Rivals stand out its seamless, fast-paced cops vs. racers online mode will soon be just a memory. If you are chasing online achievements or want one last ride with friends, now is the time. All the communities and fans who adored the game are coming together to bid the game one last farewell, and if you are one of them, we hope you are satisfied with what the game gave you.