The future of the legendary BioWare studio, known for its work on series like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, remains uncertain following its closure by EA and its private equity investors. However, Avi Lewis, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), has proposed a novel solution: government assistance to help BioWare employees purchase the studio themselves.
Lewis expressed his views on X, stating that private equity firms often prioritize short-term profits at the expense of long-term viability. He argued that the developers at BioWare possess the knowledge and passion to run the studio effectively and should be given the opportunity, with federal support, to reclaim independence. "And if we want to avoid the Mass Effect effect in Canada, we should be keeping private equity out, not welcoming it in," Lewis wrote.
While the NDP does not hold a majority in the House of Commons, this proposal highlights a potential avenue for reviving the studio. Eleanor Olszewski, the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, also voiced her disappointment. She emphasized BioWare's significant contribution to showcasing Canadian talent and expressed the government's commitment to supporting local developers and maintaining a strong digital sector in Canada.
Political commentator Christo Aivalis noted that government intervention has historically played a role in the success of Canadian creative projects, drawing parallels to the film industry. Despite the skepticism surrounding such a plan, the idea suggests a possible alternative to the studio's demise.
BioWare's history has been marked by several challenges in recent years, including the closure of its Montreal studio after disappointing sales for Mass Effect Andromeda and subsequent waves of layoffs. Reports suggest that EA's focus on live-service models may have also contributed to the studio's struggles, impacting the development of projects like Mass Effect 5 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard.