Key information
Electronic Arts has shuttered BioWare, the studio responsible for the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises. This closure impacts approximately 50 employees who were currently in the pre-production phase of a new Mass Effect title.
According to BioWare veteran Tony de Waal, the development team intended to elevate the series by incorporating design philosophies from Larian Studios and CD Projekt Red. The project aimed to provide a degree of player choice and autonomy that would surpass existing role-playing games while maintaining fidelity to the original trilogy.
While de Waal did not provide specific gameplay examples, he noted that the small, talented team was attempting to build upon the freedom established in previous entries. He expressed regret that the public will never experience the project, which he described as a special effort from a dedicated group of developers.
The closure follows EA's $55bn acquisition and suggests a shift in the publisher's focus away from deep role-playing experiences. Outside of sports and shooter titles, EA's remaining non-casual projects include an unannounced Star Wars Jedi sequel and a Marvel's Iron Man game.
