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EA cancelled Mass Effect and closed BioWare to focus on Star Wars

Publisher Electronic Arts shut down BioWare and cancelled the next Mass Effect game to fund Star Wars Battlefront 3 instead, according to a Bloomberg report.

FTMQ Gaming, written by our newsroom0 views

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Electronic Arts shut down developer BioWare and cancelled its upcoming Mass Effect sequel on October 21. Reports from Polygon, Windows Central, Destructoid, Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and Push Square, citing Bloomberg, revealed that EA chose to invest in Star Wars Battlefront 3 rather than fund both science-fiction projects. [1][2][4][5][6][7]

Destructoid reported that Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier highlighted the development cost of the projects as a key factor in the decision. Destructoid noted that BioWare had previously struggled with several releases, including Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. [4]

Mass Effect is a military science fiction franchise depicting a distant future where humanity and alien civilizations colonize the galaxy using technology left behind by ancient precursor civilizations. [10]

The closure prompted fan campaigns to preserve the Mass Effect franchise. According to Windows Central, supporters started online petitions, launched fundraisers, and funded a billboard in Times Square, New York. [2]

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In short

  • EA shut down BioWare and cancelled the next Mass Effect on October 21.
  • A Bloomberg report states EA prioritized Star Wars Battlefront 3 over Mass Effect.
  • BioWare previously faced challenges with Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
  • Fans responded to the closure with petitions, fundraisers, and a Times Square billboard.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

  1. [1]We Finally Know What Killed Mass EffectPolygon.com, 4d ago (the report this story comes from)
  2. [2]EA reportedly killed Mass Effect and BioWare to bet on Star Wars Battlefront 3 insteadWindows Central, 3d ago
  3. [3]EA reportedly canned BioWare and Mass Effect 5 to make a new Star Wars: Battlefront insteadPC Gamer, 4d ago
  4. [4]Star Wars Battlefront 3 was reportedly the final nail in the coffin for BioWare and Mass EffectDestructoid, 4d ago
  5. [5]EA execs choosing Star Wars Battlefront 3 over Mass Effect 5 was the main factor in BioWare's demise, according to reportRock Paper Shotgun, 4d ago
  6. [6]EA reportedly closed BioWare because it was forced to choose between Mass Effect 5 and Star Wars Battlefront 3Eurogamer, 4d ago
  7. [7]New Mass Effect Cancelled So EA Can Focus on Star Wars Battlefront 3Push Square, 4d ago
  8. [8]Cal Kestis set for Star Wars Jedi comeback as Mass Effect's death paves the way at EAGAMINGbible, 3d ago

Background

  1. [9]What We Do in the Shadows (TV series) on Wikipedia
  2. [10]Mass Effect on Wikipedia
  3. [11]Mass Effect on Grokipedia

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 11 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

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