Avi Lewis, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, has publicly criticized the recent closure of BioWare, attributing the studio's demise to the practices of private equity firms. Lewis proposed that the Canadian federal government should provide support to BioWare's former employees, enabling them to purchase and operate the studio themselves.
In a statement on Bluesky, Lewis asserted, "This is private equity, this is what it does. Buy up businesses, run them into the ground, and rip them apart for short-term profit." He further elaborated on the potential for a worker-led acquisition, stating, "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."
The comments come in the wake of EA's decision to close BioWare and subsequent layoffs affecting hundreds of employees across multiple studios, including Respawn, Maxis, Full Circle, and Motive. This series of events follows EA's recent acquisition through a leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, reportedly involving private equity firm backed by Jared Kushner.
This situation highlights a growing trend of political engagement with the video game industry. In recent years, lawmakers in various countries have addressed issues pertinent to gamers, such as digital ownership rights and consumer protections. Notable instances include a Mexican lawmaker's push for better consumer rights regarding digital goods and discussions in the British parliament concerning studio shutdowns and worker tribunals.
Many figures within the gaming industry, including prominent developers from studios like Larian and CD Projekt Red, as well as industry veteran Warren Spector, have expressed their dismay and solidarity with those affected by BioWare's closure.