BioWare has reportedly been shut down, with Electronic Arts choosing to invest in the development of Star Wars: Battlefront 3 over Mass Effect 5. According to a report from Bloomberg, the decision stemmed from EA's financial situation following a $55 billion leveraged buyout, which saddled the company with $18 billion in debt. EA determined it could only afford to back one costly sci-fi action game, and Star Wars: Battlefront 3, despite not yet being in development, was seen as a safer bet than Mass Effect 5.
This decision was compounded by the commercial underperformance of BioWare's recent titles, including Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Bloomberg also cited internal politics within EA management that may have negatively impacted BioWare's standing.
BioWare had been working for several years to tease the setting and story of the next Mass Effect installment before its abrupt cancellation. The news prompted a significant outpouring of support from fans and the gaming community for the studio and its legacy. An internal trailer for Mass Effect 5, which leaked online and was verified by IGN, offered a glimpse of potential elements such as familiar weaponry, alien species, and setting staples like Mass Effect relays and a galaxy map.
Bloomberg reports that around 50 staff members were working on Mass Effect 5 following previous reductions at BioWare after the release of The Veilguard. The recent layoffs reportedly impact 400 jobs across EA, representing 3% of its total workforce. BioWare's Austin studio is said to remain operational, focusing on supporting other EA game developments.
A petition to save the Mass Effect franchise has garnered nearly 300,000 signatures, though there is no indication EA plans to revive the series. Greg Zeschuk, co-founder of BioWare, suggested that the Saudi Public Investment Fund's acquisition of EA was a significant factor, stating that the company now prioritizes more predictable revenue streams like annual sports titles over BioWare's complex, long-development games.
Despite the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, Amazon's Mass Effect TV series for Prime Video is reportedly still in development. Meanwhile, Star Wars: Battlefront 3 is confirmed to be in development at Respawn and DICE, though details remain scarce.