EA shuts down BioWare and cancels Mass Effect projects following restructuring

Electronic Arts announced a major strategy shift and internal restructuring on October 21, resulting in the closure of Canadian developer BioWare and the cancelation of multiple projects. IGN reported that an estimated 400 people lost their jobs in the closure. As FTMQ Gaming reported earlier, BioWare was founded in 1995 in Edmonton, Alberta, and was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2007. [1][7]

Industry analysts told IGN that BioWare was likely doomed well before a 55 billion dollar acquisition of Electronic Arts. The analysts stated that franchises like Mass Effect are now viewed as prestige projects for Electronic Arts, and they consider it unlikely that the Mass Effect intellectual property or other BioWare properties will be sold off. [1]

Following the closure, an internal video trailer for a cancelled title named Mass Effect Universe surfaced online. Eurogamer confirmed the video was authentic, despite initial assumptions that it might be an artificial intelligence fake. Eurogamer reported that the trailer was created for Electronic Arts leadership and showed a new protagonist alongside Liara from the original Mass Effect games. [3]

Mass Effect content has also been removed from other Electronic Arts titles. According to Eurogamer, cosmetic items themed around Mass Effect have been quietly removed from Battlefield 6. The crossover items, including a Normandy ship weapon charm, were added to cosmetic menus in Season Five earlier this month but were never made available to unlock or buy. [2]