Electronic Arts announced a significant restructuring of its development studios on October 21, a move that includes the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of its next Mass Effect game. The news, revealed in a memo to staff, relegated BioWare's demise to a single paragraph amidst broader company changes. Cam Weber, president and chief studios officer, and David Tinson, president and COO, stated in the memo that the decision was not made lightly, acknowledging BioWare's legendary status and its role in defining the role-playing genre.
This announcement has deeply affected fans of the beloved sci-fi role-playing series, many of whom were eagerly anticipating the next installment. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions ranging from anger to despair, with many fans expressing their frustration at EA and the current state of the gaming industry. "I was so excited for N7 day. I was so excited for the next Mass Effect game. The Mass Effect trilogy is one of my favorite games of all time, and now it’s dead forever," one user wrote online. Another commenter urged EA to "sell your IPs to another company" so that the legacies of Mass Effect and Dragon Age could continue.
Members of the video game development community also shared their sentiments. Michal Nowakowski, co-CEO of CD Projekt Red, reflected on BioWare's historical significance and its collaborative relationship with his company, calling the closure a "sad day in the games industry." Paweł Sasko, associate game director on Cyberpunk 2, credited BioWare's early titles, Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, with igniting his passion for game development. Brian Fargo, founder of Interplay Entertainment, reminisced about BioWare's early days and their eventual rise to legendary status, calling it a "sad day indeed."
Thomas Puha, communications director at Remedy Entertainment, commented on the broader industry trend, noting that "smaller AAA games won’t bring enough money so can’t take the risk on them." He emphasized the need for original games and new franchises.
BioWare itself issued a statement on social media, stating, "For more than 30 years, BioWare has been more than a studio. It has been a home for storytellers, developers, and the players who brought our worlds to life." The studio expressed its focus on supporting its team through the transition and thanked players for making the games meaningful.
Mike Gamble, executive producer of Mass Effect at BioWare, conveyed his gratitude for fan support over his 17 years with the studio. This closure follows a tumultuous period for EA, which was acquired by an investor group including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners in August. Reports suggest this acquisition was driven by the expectation that artificial intelligence would significantly reduce EA's operating costs.