As another gaming season approaches, Xbox players are once again facing the bittersweet reality of online server closures. Every year, publishers shut down older game servers, often because player activity has declined, licensing deals have expired, or developers want to focus resources on newer titles. While single-player content usually remains available, the loss of online servers means multiplayer modes, leaderboards, and some achievements or in-game features will no longer work.
For September and October 2025, Xbox fans should prepare for a surprisingly large wave of shutdowns. While September only sees one confirmed closure, October is packed with multiple big names across genres, from sports games to MMOs and even survival titles. To save you time, we’ve gathered all the details in one place.
Xbox Games Shutting Down in September 2025
Fae Farm – September 10, 2025 (Unconfirmed for Console)
This one comes with an asterisk. Phoenix Labs announced that the servers for Fae Farm will be shutting down on September 10, but the announcement specifically mentioned the PC version through Steam. On Xbox, the situation is a little less clear.
Some reports suggest that the console edition might continue functioning because it primarily requires a Phoenix Labs account rather than Steam services. At this point, there has been no official confirmation either way. Still, it’s best to treat this as a warning. If you’ve been playing Fae Farm online with friends, consider this your reminder that the experience could change significantly in September.
Xbox Games Shutting Down in October 2025
October is where the bulk of the closures arrive, with at least nine different games losing online support. Let’s break them down by date:
Hades’ Star – October 1, 2025
The space strategy MMO Hades’ Star is officially shutting down its servers at the start of October. Known for its slow-burn galaxy expansion gameplay, this title had a dedicated niche audience. Unfortunately, like many online-only games, once the servers go dark, the game becomes unplayable in its entirety.
NHL 21 – October 6, 2025
Sports fans probably saw this one coming. NHL 21, released back in 2020, will lose its online services on October 6. EA traditionally retires older sports titles a few years after release to push players toward newer entries. You’ll still be able to enjoy offline modes like “Be a Pro” and standard exhibition matches, but online multiplayer, Ultimate Team, and online leagues will no longer be available.
Need for Speed: Rivals – October 7, 2025
Originally released in 2013, Need for Speed: Rivals was one of the first titles that blended single-player and multiplayer seamlessly in the “AllDrive” system. While you can still enjoy the campaign, losing online servers means the real-time shared world element will no longer work. Considering the game is over a decade old, this closure isn’t surprising, but it’s still sad news for racing fans.
Madden NFL 22 – October 20, 2025
EA is also shutting down Madden 22 later in October. This follows the usual cycle of sunsetting older Madden entries as new annual releases take the spotlight. Offline franchise mode and exhibition will remain, but online competitions, Madden Ultimate Team, and co-op multiplayer will be retired.
Skyforge – October 29, 2025
The free-to-play MMORPG Skyforge has been around for nearly a decade, offering players the ability to switch classes on the fly while battling across different sci-fi-inspired worlds. Unfortunately, its journey comes to an end on October 29. Once the servers are switched off, the game will no longer be accessible on Xbox consoles.
FIFA 23 – October 30, 2025
The final FIFA game under the EA and FIFA partnership, FIFA 23, will lose its online features on October 30. While EA has now rebranded its series as EA Sports FC, this closure marks the end of an era. Career Mode and Kick-Off will still work offline, but online matchmaking, Ultimate Team, and online tournaments will no longer be playable.
The Golf Club 2019 – October 30, 2025
Another sports title leaving the online scene, The Golf Club 2019, was delisted years ago but still had functional servers for existing owners. On October 30, its online modes and tournaments will officially go offline.
PGA Tour 2K21 – October 30, 2025
Much like The Golf Club 2019, PGA Tour 2K21 is also reaching its end. Online society events and multiplayer rounds will no longer be possible after October 30. The timing makes sense since PGA Tour 2K23 has taken over as the supported golf game in the franchise.
Rust Console Edition (Xbox One) – October 30, 2025
Finally, Rust Console Edition is being shut down on Xbox One, but there’s an important note here. This shutdown is only for the last-gen version. Current-gen players on Xbox Series X|S will still have access through the updated version. If you’ve been surviving and building on Xbox One, make sure you migrate before the servers are gone.
Other Games Worth Mentioning
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WWE 2K24: Originally listed for a September shutdown, the physical manual suggests December 2025 instead. Considering WWE 2K23 was sunset earlier this year, December is the more likely date.
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Splitgate: Servers are also being turned off soon, but the game will still function through peer-to-peer connections, meaning fans can continue playing with friends even without official servers.
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Sniper Elite 3: On a brighter note, Sniper Elite 3 has been relisted on the Xbox Store after being unavailable for months. Players can now purchase it again.
Why Do Xbox Servers Shut Down?
For many gamers, the biggest question is why publishers shut down servers when people still want to play. The reasons usually include:
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Low player activity: Maintaining servers for a shrinking audience is costly.
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Licensing agreements: Sports games often lose licenses for players, teams, or branding after a certain period.
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Shift to newer titles: Developers prefer focusing resources on current releases.
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Technical updates: Older server infrastructure may not be compatible with new systems.
Unfortunately, once the servers go down, there’s usually no going back unless a community or private server steps in (which is rare on consoles).
Final Thoughts
The months of September and October 2025 mark one of the bigger waves of Xbox server closures in recent memory. From FIFA 23 to Rust Console Edition on Xbox One, players across genres are losing access to some beloved online experiences. While offline content remains for most of these games, the social and competitive aspects that defined them will be gone.
If you’re still playing any of these titles, now is the time to enjoy them while you can. Complete those last online achievements, play those final matches with friends, and preserve the memories before the servers are gone for good.
Which of these shutdowns disappoints you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments section and let us know what games you’ll miss the most.
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