Following the reported closure of BioWare, a prominent Canadian game development studio, New Democratic Party leader Avi Lewis has voiced a proposal for the Canadian government to provide financial assistance to BioWare employees. The aim would be to enable the developers to purchase and manage the studio themselves, ensuring its continuation.
Lewis stated on social media that the underlying cause of BioWare's current situation is not related to content in upcoming games, but rather the acquisition of its parent company, EA, by private equity firms. He characterized private equity as entities that prioritize short-term profits over long-term support and operational stability. According to Lewis, this approach often leads to the dismantling of businesses, with BioWare being an early casualty.
"This is private equity, this is what it does," Lewis posted. "Buy up businesses, run them into the ground, and rip them apart for short-term profit. The developers at BioWare know how to run the studio. They know how to make the games we all love. They should be given the first opportunity – and the federal support – to buy it and run it themselves."
He further suggested that such an intervention could prevent a "Mass Effect effect" in Canada and advocated for keeping private equity out of such ventures. While Lewis holds influence as a political figure, the practical implementation of his proposal would require institutional power that he may not possess. Nevertheless, the suggestion offers a potential alternative for the future of the studio and its ongoing projects, such as the next installment in the Mass Effect series.