Image Credit: Insatnt Gaming

If you’ve been racing through Need for Speed Rivals with friends, here’s your final lap notice. EA has announced that online multiplayer will be turned off on October 7, 2025. Here’s what that means for the community and players who are still logging in.

What’s Changing and Why

EA confirmed that servers for the PS4, Xbox One, PC (including Steam and EA App), and even PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will go dark on October 7, 2025, twelve years after release. That date marks the end of all online features, which includes multiplayer races will no longer exist, leaderboards and Autolog functionality will stop working, and players lose access to two online-only trophies or achievements.

EA attributes this move to dwindling player counts and rising server costs, saying it’s time to focus resources on newer titles like Need for Speed Unbound.

What You’ll Still Be Able to Do

All is not lost if you loved solo driving. After October 7, you can still:

• Play the entire single player campaign in cop or racer mode
• Unlock cars, upgrades, and records offline
• Earn all offline achievements, only two trophies will no longer be attainable

Why This Matters to Fans

For many, Rivals was the last Need for Speed that nailed the core cop vs racer experience and seamless multiplayer integration. It sold over four million copies and has a nostalgic value that survives even after support ends.

This shutdown joins other recent EA server closures like those for NHL 21, Madden NFL 22, and FIFA 23. But for Rivals, it marks the retirement of a title that still had a small but dedicated fan base.

How to Prepare Before October 7

If you care about online trophies such as Friendly Race or Buddy Bust, now is the time to team up with a friend or hit up a gaming forum. EA Play members can still access Rivals today via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Also, consider backing up your save files and stats – once servers are offline, even basic sync functions could fail.

inal Words

The end of Need for Speed Rivals multiplayer isn’t surprising given its age, but it’s still bittersweet. The game lives on in offline mode, and for anyone chasing those last achievements or nostalgic races, now is your moment.

If you enjoyed this breakdown and want more coverage of game shutdowns, nostalgia alerts, and preservation news, go ahead and subscribe to The Gamers Cut. I’ve got more deep dives coming your way.