EA Shuts Down BioWare, Impacting Next Mass Effect Game Development
- EA has closed BioWare, affecting approximately 50 staff working on the next Mass Effect game.
- Veteran developer Tony de Waal revealed that the project aimed for unprecedented player freedom.
- This closure marks a potential end to EA’s development of deep role-playing games.
Electronic Arts (EA) has officially closed BioWare, the acclaimed studio responsible for the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises, which has impacted around 50 employees who were engaged in the pre-production of the anticipated next installment in the Mass Effect series. Following this decision, Tony de Waal, a veteran of BioWare, shared insights into what the team was working on prior to the closure.
In a LinkedIn post (as reported by PC Gamer), de Waal stated that the project aimed to achieve a level of player autonomy and choice that would set it apart from other games, specifically mentioning the desire to exceed the successes of Larian’s offerings, such as Baldur’s Gate 3, and the works of CD Projekt Red, known for The Witcher and Cyberpunk games.
“I was one of the lucky ones who stayed with BioWare to start on the next Mass Effect, where I believe we were making something special: a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match,” de Waal commented. He emphasized that the team sought to elevate the Mass Effect franchise while remaining true to its roots.
Although de Waal did not delve into specific in-game examples, the pursuit of a sequel that expanded on the player freedom inherent in previous Mass Effect titles—integrating contemporary methodologies from competitors—was highlighted as a significant aspiration.
Expressing regret, de Waal stated, “I’m sad you won’t ever get to see what we were cooking, and sad for the small, talented group of devs who were all punching above their weight to make something special.” He also acknowledged the dedication of those who remained with BioWare until the end, commending their talent.
The closure of BioWare appears abrupt, particularly as the studio had only reaffirmed a year ago that development on the new Mass Effect game was ongoing. This followed EA’s privately announced acquisition, which was later approved for $55 billion, prompting anticipated cuts within the organization.
This development signals not only a significant shift for BioWare but also hints at EA’s diminishing interest in investing in profound role-playing games, as their current notable projects include only an unannounced Star Wars Jedi sequel and an upcoming Marvel’s Iron Man game.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
