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Award-winning science fiction and fantasy author NK Jemisin has publicly mourned the decline of BioWare, a studio she credits as a significant inspiration. Jemisin expressed her appreciation for the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series, noting that she replayed her favorite titles numerous times and formed lasting friendships through the multiplayer mode of Mass Effect 3.
Jemisin highlighted the contributions of specific individuals to the studio's legacy. She praised writer Jennifer Hepler for her work on the dwarf origin story and dwarven culture in Dragon Age: Origins. Additionally, she lauded voice actress Jennifer Hale, known for her iconic roles as female Commander Shepard and Bastila Shan, as the best in the industry.
The author criticized the current state of the gaming industry, describing it as a broken system that destroyed a successful entity. Jemisin argued that executives prioritized increasingly expensive projects and dramatic financial returns, ultimately harming developers through widespread layoffs while leadership remained largely unaffected by these negative outcomes.
While the studio faces a shutdown, reports indicate that the Amazon series based on Mass Effect is expected to continue. This development serves as a somber reflection on the studio's history, even as former staff members like David Gaider reflect on the unique quality BioWare maintained during its peak years.
