Write off. Updated on 1 June 2021
EA has pulled five Need for Speed games from sale ahead of an August shutdown of online services.
On 31st May, EA announced the removal of Need for Speed Carbon (2006), Need for Speed Undercover (2008), Need for Speed Shift (2009), Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed (2011) and Need for Speed The Run (2011) from digital storefronts. In-game stores have also closed.
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EA said this move, which was announced and implemented on the same day, is in preparation for the retirement of the online services for these games, which is set for 31st August. Until then, you can still play and race your friends online. But from 1st September onwards, you can play offline only.
Need for Speed The Run
Additionally, their in-game stores for added content have also been closed.
This is all in preparation for the online server shutdown that is set to take place on 31st August 2021, meaning you can only play these games offline after that point. This will include both online multiplayer and online features, like Rivals.
Need for Speed’s community manager explained:
Decisions to retire games are never made easy, but we are now shifting gears to focus on the future of Need for Speed. The development teams and operational staff have put a lot of time and passion into the development, creation, release and upkeep of the game over the years, and we love to see you play. But the number of players has come to a point where it’s no longer feasible to continue the work behind the scenes required to keep Need for Speed Carbon, Need for Speed Undercover, Need for Speed Shift, Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed and Need for Speed The Run up and running.
Shrey Pacheco | Published on 01 Jun 2021
Fans of classic Need for Speed games were in for a surprise today, and not of the pleasant variety. EA, the developers, and publishers of the popular racing game series have announced that some older Need For Speed titles will be removed from digital storefronts. This includes Need for Speed Carbon, Need for Speed Undercover, Need for Speed Shift, Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed, and Need for Speed The Run
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Besides the games themselves, players will also no longer be able to access the in-game stores. This means that players will no longer be able to make any purchases. It was also noted that owners of the game will still be able to race online, but only till August 31, 2021. That’s when the developers will no longer offer online services. From September 1st onwards, owners will be able to play their games, but will only be able to access the offline content.
Servers for five older Need for Speed titles Carbon, Undercover, Shift, Shift 2: Unleashed, and The Run are closing in August. The games are being delisted from today.
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The service also adds and removes a few games every month. Here are the new arrivals and those leaving in a couple of days:
New: Remnant: From the Ashes (PC), Red Dead Online (Console and Cloud), Psychonauts (Console, Cloud, and PC), Just Cause 4: Reloaded (Console, Cloud and PC), Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, Steep (Cloud and Console), Outlast 2 (Console, Cloud and PC), FIFA 21 (Console and PC EA Play), and Dragon Quest Builders 2 (Console and PC). Most of these games have arrived but some like Remnant: From the Ashes will be part of the service in a few days.