NBA Live 10 casualty of latest EA server shutdown

It’s time once again for EA to shutdown the online servers for some games. Twelve games, including NBA Live 10 and many 2011 branded installments of EA Sports games, are getting the polite sendoff. EA explains that after the player base dwindles to a certain point, it isn’t feasible to keep maintaining the servers. Also, there are nice shiny new games for you to buy.

The ill-fated NBA Live 10 is the most high-profile game on this list. Those still playing Madden 11 or FIFA 11 can still get a good deal on the 2012 installments, or upgrade to the latest versions. NBA Live 10 was the last simulation basketball EA has been able to produce. Admittedly, there probably aren’t a whole lot of people still playing it online. The few that are would be diehard supporters, and now they’ll have to pick up a 2K Sports offering to keep playing online opponents.

NBA Jam, the game EA released instead of NBA Elite 11, is having its server turned off as well. The latest installment of that series is NBA Jam: On Fire Edition. PlayStation Plus members, that one just joined the Instant Game Collection making it deliciously free.

Players of the Ultimate Team modes in these games should pay special attention. Later versions of Ultimate Team reward you for owning cards from previous years. If there are any FIFA or Madden 11 cards you meant to track down, you’d better get cracking.

Two years is a relatively short time to keep servers up, especially considering EA now charges for “online passes.” In contrast, Activision still has servers up for Call of Duty 3, despite releasing new CoDs annually.

Here’s the list of what’s getting shut down and when.

January 19, 2013 — Online Services Shutdown

• Trenches II for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

January 14, 2013 — Online Services Shutdown

• The Sims 2 for PC/MAC and TheSims2.com

January 11, 2013 — Online Services Shutdown

• FIFA Soccer 11 for PC, PS3, Wii & Xbox 360
• FIFA Soccer 11 Ultimate Team for PS3 & Xbox 360
• Madden NFL 11 for PS3, Wii & Xbox 360
• Madden NFL 11 Ultimate Team for PS3 & Xbox 360
• NBA JAM for PS3 & Xbox 360
• NBA LIVE 10 for PS3 & Xbox 360
• NCAA Football 11 for PS3 & Xbox 360
• NHL 11 for PS3 & Xbox 360
• NHL 11 Ultimate Team for PS3 & Xbox 360

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