BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk believes that Electronic Arts' recent acquisition by private equity firms, including those backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has effectively sealed the fate of the storied developer.
Zeschuk, who retired from BioWare in 2012, stated in an interview with 80.lv that he had already come to terms with the studio's eventual demise years ago. However, he expressed concern for the employees who have been impacted by recent decisions, noting that many of them are now facing a challenging job market. He described the recent EA acquisition as the “final nail in the coffin,” asserting that the publisher has transformed into a company vastly different from the one he joined.
While Zeschuk feels he has achieved an emotional detachment from his past decisions regarding BioWare's sale to EA in 2007, he disputes the notion that the studio was on the brink of collapse at that time. He explained that BioWare was financially stable and seeking funding for the development of the Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic. At the time, he believed that joining a larger entity was the best course of action for the company's future.
Zeschuk anticipates that the new ownership will likely prioritize sports titles and the Battlefield franchise, viewing other projects as extraneous. He also commented on the nature of corporate leadership in the gaming industry, observing that many executives lack hands-on development experience, which can lead to decisions that do not align with the realities of game creation. Despite his candid reflections, Zeschuk has no plans to return to game development or attempt to reclaim BioWare's intellectual property, including the Mass Effect series, finding more satisfaction as a consumer of games.
Meanwhile, EA continues to leverage BioWare's legacy. A Mass Effect television series is reportedly in development at Amazon, a project that is expected to proceed despite the shutdown of the BioWare studio. Fans, however, continue to advocate for the series, with some organizing efforts like billboards outside EA headquarters in an attempt to capture the publisher's attention.