Electronic Arts reportedly opted to fund an unannounced Star Wars game instead of BioWare's next Mass Effect title, a decision that contributed to the studio's recent closure. According to a report from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, EA faced a choice between two expensive projects and ultimately favored the Star Wars Battlefront 3 concept due to its perceived lower risk and greater predictability.
This decision was made under significant financial pressure, including the need to repay substantial debt following EA's sale to a business consortium and investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Star Wars: Battlefront 3, though not yet in active development or officially announced, was seen by EA executives as a more secure financial prospect than a new installment in the Mass Effect series, a franchise rooted in role-playing games, a genre EA has historically shown less affinity for compared to shooters.
"They chose to invest in Star Wars and shut down BioWare as a result," Schreier wrote, citing sources familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity. The report also suggests that internal corporate politics may have played a role, with key internal advocates for BioWare reportedly being sidelined following promotions for executives with backgrounds in EA Sports and shooter franchises.
BioWare's recent history of underperforming titles, including Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem, and the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard, further influenced EA's strategic calculations. These games did not meet sales expectations, adding to the company's reluctance to invest heavily in a new Mass Effect RPG.
Following the news of BioWare's closure, further details regarding the potential Mass Effect project have surfaced. A trailer for a game tentatively titled "Mass Effect: Universe" appeared online, depicting a concept described as a sci-fi take on the John Wick universe. Additionally, video game composer Austin Wintory shared an experimental score he created as part of his audition tape for the project.