EA Closes BioWare, Choosing Star Wars Battlefront Over New Mass Effect
- EA has closed BioWare after deciding to pursue Star Wars Battlefront 3 over a new Mass Effect game.
- The decision was influenced by EA’s $18 billion debt and perceived project risks.
- A leaked internal video revealed details about the cancelled Mass Effect project, set 600 years after the Reaper war.
A recent report indicates that Electronic Arts (EA) shut down BioWare due to a strategic choice between investing in a new Mass Effect game or the development of Star Wars Battlefront 3. Ultimately, EA opted for the latter project.
The revelation, reported by Bloomberg, stemmed from information provided by “people familiar with the company’s strategy.” They noted that a new opportunity emerged to develop a third Battlefront game, while EA, laden with $18 billion in debt, had to face the reality of funding two substantial sci-fi projects, each expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Due to financial constraints, EA’s executives elected to prioritize Star Wars Battlefront 3, considered a “less risky, more predictable bet” compared to a new Mass Effect installment, even though formal development had not yet commenced.
An EA spokesperson stated that the decision was reached after months of planning and review, taking into account evolving industry conditions and long-term corporate priorities. They acknowledged that “while this is never easy,” tough decisions must be made to concentrate resources on the most promising opportunities for the future.
The report also points to several additional factors influencing EA’s decision, including BioWare’s less-than-favorable recent performance and organizational changes that favored EA Sports executives over those representing BioWare. Concerns about Dragon Age: Veilguard’s sales performance were raised, suggesting it might have performed better as a “live service game.”
Following BioWare’s closure and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, an internal video purported to be for the project, titled Mass Effect Universe, was leaked. This video presented a pre-rendered visualization indicating the storyline was set 600 years after the Reaper war, amidst a galactic cold war, and featured a protagonist described as “a cross between John Wick and James Bond.”
The planned gameplay promised “Hitman-style freedom” in level progression, organic romance elements, and connections between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. Although it is uncertain how much development had taken place, the amount of planning appeared significant, especially when contrasted with the current status of Battlefront 3.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 launched in 2017 and faced early criticism due to its loot box system, but subsequent updates greatly improved the game experience.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
