Electronic Arts made the decision to close BioWare after being forced to choose between two major sci-fi projects: a new installment in the Mass Effect series or a Star Wars Battlefront game, according to a report from Bloomberg. The company ultimately opted to invest in the Star Wars title, viewing it as a safer financial prospect.
This decision was reportedly influenced by EA's substantial debt following a recent leveraged buyout. With both potential projects expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, the company felt it could not fund both. An EA spokesperson stated that the decision followed months of planning and analysis, acknowledging the need to make difficult choices to focus on future opportunities and investments across their portfolio.
The report also points to BioWare's recent performance as a factor. The studio's track record, coupled with an executive reshuffle that favored those aligned with EA Sports, may have contributed to the decision. Executives at EA reportedly expressed disappointment with the sales of Dragon Age: Veilguard, suggesting that a live-service model might have been more beneficial.
Details of the canceled Mass Effect game, internally codenamed Mass Effect Universe, have surfaced following the announcement of BioWare's closure. Leaked internal footage depicted a game set 600 years after the Reaper war, during a galactic cold war. The player character was envisioned as a blend of John Wick and James Bond, with gameplay offering Hitman-style freedom in approaching objectives, un-sanitized romance options, and connections between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. It remains unclear how far into development the project had progressed, but significant planning had evidently occurred.
Star Wars Battlefront 3, though not yet in active development at the time of the decision, was seen by EA executives as a more predictable venture. The previous installment, Star Wars Battlefront 2, faced initial criticism upon its 2017 release, largely due to its controversial loot box system. However, EA's subsequent support and updates significantly improved the game over time.