It’s the end of Mass Effect and BioWare as we know it. EA has pulled the plug on a studio that has long had its best years behind it — thirty-one years, around 400 jobs cut, and the next Mass Effect cancelled while still in early development. It was only a matter of time but it’s a ruthless cut from a publisher that had the means to support it back to its best. They just choose not to.
EA went private two months ago in a $55 billion buyout led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a deal that put roughly $18 billion in debt on the company, with plans to save up to $700 million. Whether the new owners had any sort of decision on this, time will tell. But looking back, it really goes some way to proving that the golden age of gaming has probably seen its day when all we are getting is sunsetting of games that are a powerhouse brand and long established.
Thanks for the memories, Bioware. Best wishes to everyone who has lost their jobs. I hope they find their feet. I really hope that Exodus can fill the substantial void.
Written by Craig
From gaming industry headlines and entertainment, Craig covers the stories everyone's talking about — alongside his own published works.