EA’s decision to shut down BioWare was reportedly influenced by a choice between funding the studio’s next Mass Effect game and supporting Star Wars: Battlefront 3. According to Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier, the publisher viewed the unannounced Star Wars project as a safer investment.
Battlefront 3 has reportedly not entered development and has not been officially announced. However, people familiar with the decision told Schreier that EA executives considered it a less risky and more predictable bet than a new Mass Effect game. The report also says EA has been under pressure to address $18 billion in leveraged debt following its sale to a business consortium and investment from Saudi Arabia’s investment fund.
Schreier reported that EA chose to invest in Star Wars and closed BioWare as a result. He also cited possible corporate politics, noting that senior EA executive Laura Miele, described as one of BioWare’s key advocates, was reportedly sidelined after David Tinson and Cam Weber, both EA Sports veterans, were promoted.
BioWare’s recent commercial performance may have further affected the decision. Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem and Dragon Age: The Veilguard reportedly failed to meet sales expectations, adding to the challenges faced by the studio after more than 30 years of operation.
Following BioWare’s closure, additional details about its Mass Effect project emerged. A trailer for Mass Effect: Universe was posted online, while composer Austin Wintory shared an experimental score created as part of his audition for the game. The available details reportedly presented the project as a science-fiction story with elements reminiscent of John Wick.
Sources: GameSpot.