Electronic Arts has announced the closure of its BioWare studio and the cancellation of an in-development Mass Effect sequel, a move that underscores the publisher's long-standing practice of acquiring and subsequently dismantling game development studios. Since its founding in 1982, EA has repeatedly engaged in the pattern of purchasing companies, often leading to their closure years later, a trend that has persisted regardless of changes in company ownership or industry shifts.
EA's history of studio acquisition and closure dates back to the mid-1980s. In 1987, shortly after its inception, EA acquired and closed its first game company. This pattern has continued over the decades, with numerous studios being integrated into EA's structure only to be shut down later. This practice has earned EA significant criticism and even led to the company winning the "Worst Company in America" award in 2012 and 2013.
The list of studios acquired and subsequently closed by EA is extensive, including prominent names in game development. Among those shut down are Origin Systems (purchased 1992, closed 2004), Bullfrog Productions (purchased 1995, closed 2001), Westwood Studios (purchased 1998, closed 2003), and Maxis (purchased 1997, closed 2015), though the Maxis name persists in a limited capacity. More recently, studios like Pandemic Studios (purchased 2007, closed 2009), Mythic Entertainment (purchased 2006, closed 2014), and Chillingo (purchased 2010, fully closed 2023) have also met similar fates.
With the closure of BioWare, EA has now acquired and shut down at least 19 studios since 1987. The exact number can be difficult to ascertain due to EA's practice of reassigning staff and folding teams into other divisions. The ongoing trend raises concerns about the future of game development studios operating within or being acquired by large publishers, especially amidst broader industry consolidation and economic pressures.
Electronic Arts' transition to new ownership, including its recent acquisition by a group associated with Saudi Arabia, has not halted this pattern. Observers suggest that the company's financial objectives may continue to drive such decisions, irrespective of the impact on studios and their employees. The current state of the video game industry, characterized by rapid changes and significant financial investments, means that such studio closures may persist as a feature of the market.