{"id":2214086,"date":"2026-10-23T12:12:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T09:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2214086"},"modified":"2026-10-23T12:12:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T09:12:24","slug":"franchises-like-mass-effect-are-a-prestige-project-for-ea-and-biowares-closure-was-entirely-predictable-analysts-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2214086","title":{"rendered":"Franchises Like Mass Effect Are a &#8216;Prestige Project&#8217; for EA, and BioWare&#8217;s Closure Was &#8216;Entirely Predictable,&#8217; Analysts Say"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-462858067 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-242790214 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Games industry analysts told IGN that BioWare was likely doomed well before EA\u2019s $55 billion acquisition, explaining that games like Mass Effect are now considered \u201cprestige projects\u201d for the company, and it\u2019s unlikely the sci-fi franchise, nor BioWare\u2019s other IPs, are sold off.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">On October 21, EA announced a major shift in strategy and a significant internal restructuring that involves the cancelation of a number of projects, the <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/bioware-shutting-down-next-mass-effect-canceled\">closure of BioWare<\/a>, and a reported 400 people losing their jobs. The Canadian studio, known for franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, was shut down after more than 30 years of creating beloved role-playing games. Mass Effect fans must now consider that the franchise is dead \u2014 something <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mass-effect-5-trailer-leaks-online-with-mass-effect-universe-title-reveals-returning-characters-and-much-more\">the leaked internal trailer for Mass Effect Universe<\/a> made all the more difficult to accept.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Needless to say, Mass Effect fans were gutted by the news, hoping against hope that EA might sell off BioWare\u2019s IP rather than letting them languish in obscurity. But analysts have expressed doubt that outside companies will take on BioWare&#8217;s franchises, even as EA faces down a massive debt incurred by its acquisition.<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">11 Mass Effect Characters and Moments the TV Show Needs to Be a Hit<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"It\u2019s official: A Mass Effect show is in the works at Amazon\u2019s Prime Video. Although it hasn\u2019t been said outright, the show will most likely be an adaptation of Commander Shepard\u2019s story from the original trilogy due to that saga\u2019s popularity with fans. A television series is the most appropriate format for adapting the award-winning game franchise into another medium, opposed to say a feature film, since Mass Effect is an extension of many of the space opera narrative conventions popularized by perennial sci-fi TV juggernaut Star Trek, and also because the many episodes\/seasons a TV show affords will allow the creators to use far more of the series\u2019 wide array of fan-favorite characters.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe characters are why Mass Effect fans love the series so much and what will help the franchise connect with a new audience. Now that we know we\u2019re getting a show, let\u2019s take a look at the Mass Effect trilogy\u2019s best characters and moments that the show should adapt. (And obviously we&apos;re not including main character Commander Shepard on this list as their inclusion goes without saying!)\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-3524787213 jsx-4268464690 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Confronting Wrex on Virmire&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe genophage subplot is introduced to players through the eyes of Urdnot Wrex, a krogan battlemaster who joins Shepard\u2019s crew. Late in the first game, Wrex breaks with RPG companion convention and refuses to help Shepard with the mission on Virmire because it would destroy a cure for the genophage, the sterility plague that has infected his people. This leads to Shepard and Wrex drawing their weapons on each other. Players who convince Wrex to trust in their leadership manage to keep him alive for the sequels, giving their fire-forged bond with him much more dimension as the genophage plot plays out across the trilogy. Wrex is one of Mass Effect\u2019s best characters, so we hope to see him and this scene in the upcoming show.\n\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 12 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Talking Down Saren on the Citadel&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nSaren Arterius, the main antagonist of the first game, is a rogue Spectre (the same elite group Commander Shepard is a member of) and an agent of the Reapers, the techno-organic starships that are the ultimate villains of the series. Shepard chases Saren across the galaxy, leading to the final confrontation on the Citadel space station. Players could either fight him conventionally, or if they were crafty in conversation, peel away the layers of Reaper indoctrination and convince Saren that what he was doing would lead to the end of galactic civilization. Saren then commits suicide upon realizing what he\u2019s become. This finale gives Saren a real sense of tragedy, and makes him into the most compelling antagonist in the series.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Garrus\u2019 Friendship with Shepard&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nIf there\u2019s one Mass Effect character that no one hates, it\u2019s the turian C-Sec officer turned vigilante Garrus Vakarian. One of only two characters to be primary squadmates in all three games (we\u2019ll get to the other in a sec), Garrus is beloved for his loyalty to Shepard, his suave but vulnerable personality, and his efficiency with a sniper rifle. He\u2019s also one of the most popular romance options, but even if you don\u2019t pursue that subplot, Garrus still winds up being the player\u2019s most steadfast companion. Watching their bond grow as Shepard mentors Garrus in the ways of the galaxy, pushing him to be more paragon or renegade, only to receive the same kind of backing in turn makes this a can\u2019t-miss dynamic to explore in the show.\n\n\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Thane Saving His Son&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nDrell assassin Thane Krios is one of the least important squadmates in Mass Effect 2 in terms of how he affects the main plot, but getting involved with his loyalty quest leads to one of the most emotional moments of the game. Having lived the life of a paid killer from the time he was 12, Thane is heartbroken to learn that his son Kolyat, whom he hasn\u2019t seen in years, has followed the same path. Shepard can help Thane stop Kolyat from carrying out his first assassination, and save their relationship if they make the right choices. These smaller, more personal side quests are what makes Mass Effect such a rich narrative experience, so we hope they devote an episode or two to adapting Thane\u2019s story.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Tali\u2019s Trial&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe other squadmate who is part of the main crew in all three games is Tali\u2019Zorah nar Rayya, a young quarian who grows from a teenager on her first foray in galactic society into a critical player in her species\u2019 destiny. One of the most pivotal beats in that arc is her loyalty quest in Mass Effect 2, where Tali is put on trial for treason by the Migrant Fleet\u2019s Admiralty Board. Shepard can help Tali clear her name or let her get exiled to save her father\u2019s reputation, but either way, this quest shows Tali maturing into a more assertive character, one who finally grasps the weight her actions can have on the path the quarian race will take. It\u2019s another example of ME2 putting character and world-building ahead of plot, and it\u2019s one side story well worth adapting.\n\n\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">When asked about this possibility, industry analyst <a href=\"https:\/\/superjoost.substack.com\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>Joost van Dreunen<\/u><\/a> said, \u201cmaybe,\u201d but explained that these IPs are likely far too costly \u2014 and far too time-consuming \u2014 for other developers to tackle.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIn many ways, BioWare&#8217;s IP is in the same boat as some of the other studios we recently saw being divested. They are all well-known and too expensive for most buyers. Capable publishers like CD Projekt Red already have their hands full with their own projects,\u201d he said. (He\u2019s not wrong; CDPR certainly has a lot on its plate right now, what with <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/the-witcher-iv\">The Witcher 4<\/a> and <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/cyberpunk-2\">Cyberpunk 2<\/a> being in active development.)<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The next Mass Effect was announced six years ago, at The Game Awards 2020, and this time last year Mike Gamble, now former executive producer of Mass Effect at BioWare, celebrated N7 Day to say the game was still in development. He even expressed excitement about the Amazon TV series (<a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mass-effect-tv-series-prime-video-bioware-closure\">which IGN understands is currently still in the works<\/a>), and insisted EA and BioWare &#8220;remain committed to telling more stories in this universe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So what changed? Why cancel Mass Effect 5 now? Van Dreunen told us that, in EA\u2019s eyes, legacy IPs like Mass Effect are likely being viewed as \u201cprestige projects,\u201d and the future looks grim for other development teams still underneath EA\u2019s umbrella.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Before its buyout, EA had been focusing on building recurring revenue streams, and the focus of its new owners is sports, live service, and new markets like Asia. Even if Mass Effect and Dragon Age were fantastically successful, corporate will insist on predictable cash flow. It makes franchises like Mass Effect a prestige project,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cConsidering the debt load, I&#8217;d expect to hear about more layoffs in the months to come. The memo already shrinks the skate. team and pauses a project for The Sims. I expect EA&#8217;s town hall in November to bring more bad news.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2277167929 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Play.59e5540b.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Van Dreunen, along with fellow analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere, considers BioWare\u2019s closure an inevitable consequence of EA\u2019s current business structure, calling it \u201centirely predictable and precisely what a leveraged buyout looks like once the deal closes. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIn this case, EA now carries roughly $18 billion in debt, which costs it about $1.8 billion a year in interest. That is more than its annual EBITDA of around $1.5 billion. EA has told its lenders it will cut $700 million in annual costs to service the debt. In that context, a 50-person team working on a game that is years from launch is the easiest line to cut, regardless of its legacy,\u201d van Dreunen said.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cThis news is emotive for many adult gamers because of Bioware\u2019s long history of delivering games with deep narratives that connect with audiences, meaning it has a large cultural footprint. It\u2019s a name that has been around for 30 years, so seeing it close is a significant moment for the industry. In particular, the original Baldur\u2019s Gate games, Neverwinter Nights, and KOTOR were genre defining, and the later Mass Effect titles also strongly resonated with audiences,\u201d Harding-Rolls told us.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Harding-Rolls added that the commercial failure of BioWare&#8217;s last game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, played a part in BioWare&#8217;s demise. And let&#8217;s remember that 2017&#8217;s Mass Effect: Andromeda and 2019&#8217;s Anthem also failed to meet EA&#8217;s expectations.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cUnfortunately, the studio\u2019s recent big-budget releases have not performed well enough commercially,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Ampere data shows that Bioware\u2019s latest release at the end of 2024 \u2014 Dragon Age: The Veilguard \u2014 has sold an estimated 1.9 million units globally across PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam up to the end of September, way below internal targets. The changing nature of high-end gaming and the need to cut costs means that it is likely that Bioware\u2019s future was under discussion before EA was acquired by the PIF and its partners.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">BioWare: Stories and Secrets From 25 Years of Game Development &#8211; Exclusive Book Preview<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Click through for an exclusive preview of Dark Horse&apos;s BioWare: Stories and Secrets From 25 Years of Game Development.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-3524787213 jsx-4268464690 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 10 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">It&#8217;s a point backed up by MST Financial analyst David Gibson. \u201cI think the closing is a combination of factors: EA going private and needing to improve returns and margins to fund large debt, high relative costs in the West (versus Asia, etc.) to develop AAA games, and role playing games like Mass Effect not doing enough sales to be profitable enough,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIt appears there were many other games in development using IP which were also scrapped. I would hope a small and nimble studio would acquire some of the IP and make great games that users love and that contain innovation, rather than repeat the same stuff. EA has a history of making a series of games that are just not fun to play or contain innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Whether or not EA ends up selling off BioWare\u2019s IP remains to be seen. Former BioWare <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/former-bioware-executive-producer-mark-darrah-says-ea-might-be-more-likely-to-sell-ips-like-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-after-studios-closure\">executive producer Mark Darrah<\/a> is more optimistic about this possibility than he was previously, but remains skeptical, saying EA could be just as likely to \u201cforget they ever existed and bury them in the vault.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">We have much more on the dramatic news of BioWare&#8217;s closure, including<a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/the-internet-reacts-to-the-cancelation-of-mass-effect-5-and-the-death-of-bioware\"><u> reaction from fans and the video game industry<\/u><\/a>, and IGN&#8217;s Ryan McCaffrey on<a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/bioware-was-the-greatest-rpg-developer-ever\"><u> why BioWare was the greatest RPG developer ever<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<section class=\"author-sign-off\" data-cy=\"author-sign-off\"><span class=\"stack jsx-59817748 jsx-1927875859\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-444076027 jsx-1730475047 profile-thumb jsx-2141281959 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-1-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Virginia Glaze Avatar\" class=\"progressive-image profile-thumb-img jsx-249361588 jsx-2338608387 expand\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/avatars\/6a3973ecf71dd1001d20de39\/XD1zX2FT-1782150223173.jpg?crop=1%3A1&amp;width=56&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=80\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-3630940851\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-702910195 author-sign-off-header\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/person\/virginiaglaze\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 jsx-2809511915 bold underlined\">Virginia Glaze<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 muted\">News Editor<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-1220387432\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"author-sign-off-socials\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 author-sign-off-socials\"><button type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"listbox\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"View social links\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 socials-trigger\"><span title=\"X\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 social-icon-avatar\"><span class=\"ign-icon jsx-2877214176 jsx-2750866048 jsx-2788214270\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"jsx-2877214176\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div role=\"listbox\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2758920045 jsx-4268464690 jsx-3705869475 dropdown-menu jsx-3625955085\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/TheeMissGlaze\" id=\"author-sign-off-social-twitterHandle\" class=\"menu-item jsx-3565735818 jsx-3927327418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 menu-item-text\" data-text=\"X\">X<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"ign-icon icon-twitter jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"icon-twitter\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 sign-off-text\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Virginia (she\/her) is IGN\u2019s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she\u2019s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheeMissGlaze\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer\"><em>@TheeMissGlaze<\/em><\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Games industry analysts told IGN that BioWare was likely doomed well before EA\u2019s $55 billion acquisition, explaining that games like Mass Effect are now considered \u201cprestige projects\u201d for the company, and it\u2019s unlikely the sci-fi franchise, nor BioWare\u2019s other IPs, are sold off.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">On October 21, EA announced a major shift in strategy and a significant internal restructuring that involves the cancelation of a number of projects, the <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/bioware-shutting-down-next-mass-effect-canceled\">closure of BioWare<\/a>, and a reported 400 people losing their jobs. The Canadian studio, known for franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, was shut down after more than 30 years of creating beloved role-playing games. Mass Effect fans must now consider that the franchise is dead \u2014 something <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mass-effect-5-trailer-leaks-online-with-mass-effect-universe-title-reveals-returning-characters-and-much-more\">the leaked internal trailer for Mass Effect Universe<\/a> made all the more difficult to accept.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Needless to say, Mass Effect fans were gutted by the news, hoping against hope that EA might sell off BioWare\u2019s IP rather than letting them languish in obscurity. But analysts have expressed doubt that outside companies will take on BioWare&#8217;s franchises, even as EA faces down a massive debt incurred by its acquisition.<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">11 Mass Effect Characters and Moments the TV Show Needs to Be a Hit<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"It\u2019s official: A Mass Effect show is in the works at Amazon\u2019s Prime Video. Although it hasn\u2019t been said outright, the show will most likely be an adaptation of Commander Shepard\u2019s story from the original trilogy due to that saga\u2019s popularity with fans. A television series is the most appropriate format for adapting the award-winning game franchise into another medium, opposed to say a feature film, since Mass Effect is an extension of many of the space opera narrative conventions popularized by perennial sci-fi TV juggernaut Star Trek, and also because the many episodes\/seasons a TV show affords will allow the creators to use far more of the series\u2019 wide array of fan-favorite characters.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe characters are why Mass Effect fans love the series so much and what will help the franchise connect with a new audience. Now that we know we\u2019re getting a show, let\u2019s take a look at the Mass Effect trilogy\u2019s best characters and moments that the show should adapt. (And obviously we&apos;re not including main character Commander Shepard on this list as their inclusion goes without saying!)\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-3524787213 jsx-4268464690 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Confronting Wrex on Virmire&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe genophage subplot is introduced to players through the eyes of Urdnot Wrex, a krogan battlemaster who joins Shepard\u2019s crew. Late in the first game, Wrex breaks with RPG companion convention and refuses to help Shepard with the mission on Virmire because it would destroy a cure for the genophage, the sterility plague that has infected his people. This leads to Shepard and Wrex drawing their weapons on each other. Players who convince Wrex to trust in their leadership manage to keep him alive for the sequels, giving their fire-forged bond with him much more dimension as the genophage plot plays out across the trilogy. Wrex is one of Mass Effect\u2019s best characters, so we hope to see him and this scene in the upcoming show.\n\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 12 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Talking Down Saren on the Citadel&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nSaren Arterius, the main antagonist of the first game, is a rogue Spectre (the same elite group Commander Shepard is a member of) and an agent of the Reapers, the techno-organic starships that are the ultimate villains of the series. Shepard chases Saren across the galaxy, leading to the final confrontation on the Citadel space station. Players could either fight him conventionally, or if they were crafty in conversation, peel away the layers of Reaper indoctrination and convince Saren that what he was doing would lead to the end of galactic civilization. Saren then commits suicide upon realizing what he\u2019s become. This finale gives Saren a real sense of tragedy, and makes him into the most compelling antagonist in the series.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Garrus\u2019 Friendship with Shepard&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nIf there\u2019s one Mass Effect character that no one hates, it\u2019s the turian C-Sec officer turned vigilante Garrus Vakarian. One of only two characters to be primary squadmates in all three games (we\u2019ll get to the other in a sec), Garrus is beloved for his loyalty to Shepard, his suave but vulnerable personality, and his efficiency with a sniper rifle. He\u2019s also one of the most popular romance options, but even if you don\u2019t pursue that subplot, Garrus still winds up being the player\u2019s most steadfast companion. Watching their bond grow as Shepard mentors Garrus in the ways of the galaxy, pushing him to be more paragon or renegade, only to receive the same kind of backing in turn makes this a can\u2019t-miss dynamic to explore in the show.\n\n\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Thane Saving His Son&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nDrell assassin Thane Krios is one of the least important squadmates in Mass Effect 2 in terms of how he affects the main plot, but getting involved with his loyalty quest leads to one of the most emotional moments of the game. Having lived the life of a paid killer from the time he was 12, Thane is heartbroken to learn that his son Kolyat, whom he hasn\u2019t seen in years, has followed the same path. Shepard can help Thane stop Kolyat from carrying out his first assassination, and save their relationship if they make the right choices. These smaller, more personal side quests are what makes Mass Effect such a rich narrative experience, so we hope they devote an episode or two to adapting Thane\u2019s story.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Tali\u2019s Trial&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe other squadmate who is part of the main crew in all three games is Tali\u2019Zorah nar Rayya, a young quarian who grows from a teenager on her first foray in galactic society into a critical player in her species\u2019 destiny. One of the most pivotal beats in that arc is her loyalty quest in Mass Effect 2, where Tali is put on trial for treason by the Migrant Fleet\u2019s Admiralty Board. Shepard can help Tali clear her name or let her get exiled to save her father\u2019s reputation, but either way, this quest shows Tali maturing into a more assertive character, one who finally grasps the weight her actions can have on the path the quarian race will take. It\u2019s another example of ME2 putting character and world-building ahead of plot, and it\u2019s one side story well worth adapting.\n\n\n\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">When asked about this possibility, industry analyst <a href=\"https:\/\/superjoost.substack.com\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>Joost van Dreunen<\/u><\/a> said, \u201cmaybe,\u201d but explained that these IPs are likely far too costly \u2014 and far too time-consuming \u2014 for other developers to tackle.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIn many ways, BioWare&#8217;s IP is in the same boat as some of the other studios we recently saw being divested. They are all well-known and too expensive for most buyers. Capable publishers like CD Projekt Red already have their hands full with their own projects,\u201d he said. (He\u2019s not wrong; CDPR certainly has a lot on its plate right now, what with <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/the-witcher-iv\">The Witcher 4<\/a> and <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/cyberpunk-2\">Cyberpunk 2<\/a> being in active development.)<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The next Mass Effect was announced six years ago, at The Game Awards 2020, and this time last year Mike Gamble, now former executive producer of Mass Effect at BioWare, celebrated N7 Day to say the game was still in development. He even expressed excitement about the Amazon TV series (<a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mass-effect-tv-series-prime-video-bioware-closure\">which IGN understands is currently still in the works<\/a>), and insisted EA and BioWare &#8220;remain committed to telling more stories in this universe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So what changed? Why cancel Mass Effect 5 now? Van Dreunen told us that, in EA\u2019s eyes, legacy IPs like Mass Effect are likely being viewed as \u201cprestige projects,\u201d and the future looks grim for other development teams still underneath EA\u2019s umbrella.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Before its buyout, EA had been focusing on building recurring revenue streams, and the focus of its new owners is sports, live service, and new markets like Asia. Even if Mass Effect and Dragon Age were fantastically successful, corporate will insist on predictable cash flow. It makes franchises like Mass Effect a prestige project,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cConsidering the debt load, I&#8217;d expect to hear about more layoffs in the months to come. The memo already shrinks the skate. team and pauses a project for The Sims. I expect EA&#8217;s town hall in November to bring more bad news.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2277167929 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Play.59e5540b.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Van Dreunen, along with fellow analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere, considers BioWare\u2019s closure an inevitable consequence of EA\u2019s current business structure, calling it \u201centirely predictable and precisely what a leveraged buyout looks like once the deal closes. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIn this case, EA now carries roughly $18 billion in debt, which costs it about $1.8 billion a year in interest. That is more than its annual EBITDA of around $1.5 billion. EA has told its lenders it will cut $700 million in annual costs to service the debt. In that context, a 50-person team working on a game that is years from launch is the easiest line to cut, regardless of its legacy,\u201d van Dreunen said.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cThis news is emotive for many adult gamers because of Bioware\u2019s long history of delivering games with deep narratives that connect with audiences, meaning it has a large cultural footprint. It\u2019s a name that has been around for 30 years, so seeing it close is a significant moment for the industry. In particular, the original Baldur\u2019s Gate games, Neverwinter Nights, and KOTOR were genre defining, and the later Mass Effect titles also strongly resonated with audiences,\u201d Harding-Rolls told us.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Harding-Rolls added that the commercial failure of BioWare&#8217;s last game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, played a part in BioWare&#8217;s demise. And let&#8217;s remember that 2017&#8217;s Mass Effect: Andromeda and 2019&#8217;s Anthem also failed to meet EA&#8217;s expectations.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cUnfortunately, the studio\u2019s recent big-budget releases have not performed well enough commercially,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Ampere data shows that Bioware\u2019s latest release at the end of 2024 \u2014 Dragon Age: The Veilguard \u2014 has sold an estimated 1.9 million units globally across PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam up to the end of September, way below internal targets. The changing nature of high-end gaming and the need to cut costs means that it is likely that Bioware\u2019s future was under discussion before EA was acquired by the PIF and its partners.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">BioWare: Stories and Secrets From 25 Years of Game Development &#8211; Exclusive Book Preview<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Click through for an exclusive preview of Dark Horse&apos;s BioWare: Stories and Secrets From 25 Years of Game Development.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-3524787213 jsx-4268464690 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 10 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image Credit: Dark Horse\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2277167929 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">It&#8217;s a point backed up by MST Financial analyst David Gibson. \u201cI think the closing is a combination of factors: EA going private and needing to improve returns and margins to fund large debt, high relative costs in the West (versus Asia, etc.) to develop AAA games, and role playing games like Mass Effect not doing enough sales to be profitable enough,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cIt appears there were many other games in development using IP which were also scrapped. I would hope a small and nimble studio would acquire some of the IP and make great games that users love and that contain innovation, rather than repeat the same stuff. EA has a history of making a series of games that are just not fun to play or contain innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Whether or not EA ends up selling off BioWare\u2019s IP remains to be seen. Former BioWare <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/former-bioware-executive-producer-mark-darrah-says-ea-might-be-more-likely-to-sell-ips-like-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-after-studios-closure\">executive producer Mark Darrah<\/a> is more optimistic about this possibility than he was previously, but remains skeptical, saying EA could be just as likely to \u201cforget they ever existed and bury them in the vault.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">We have much more on the dramatic news of BioWare&#8217;s closure, including<a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/the-internet-reacts-to-the-cancelation-of-mass-effect-5-and-the-death-of-bioware\"><u> reaction from fans and the video game industry<\/u><\/a>, and IGN&#8217;s Ryan McCaffrey on<a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/bioware-was-the-greatest-rpg-developer-ever\"><u> why BioWare was the greatest RPG developer ever<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<section class=\"author-sign-off\" data-cy=\"author-sign-off\"><span class=\"stack jsx-59817748 jsx-1927875859\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-444076027 jsx-1730475047 profile-thumb jsx-2141281959 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-1-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Virginia Glaze Avatar\" class=\"progressive-image profile-thumb-img jsx-249361588 jsx-2338608387 expand\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/avatars\/6a3973ecf71dd1001d20de39\/XD1zX2FT-1782150223173.jpg?crop=1%3A1&amp;width=56&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=80\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-3630940851\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-702910195 author-sign-off-header\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/person\/virginiaglaze\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 jsx-2809511915 bold underlined\">Virginia Glaze<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 muted\">News Editor<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-1220387432\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"author-sign-off-socials\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 author-sign-off-socials\"><button type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"listbox\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"View social links\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 socials-trigger\"><span title=\"X\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 social-icon-avatar\"><span class=\"ign-icon jsx-2877214176 jsx-2750866048 jsx-2788214270\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"jsx-2877214176\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div role=\"listbox\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2758920045 jsx-4268464690 jsx-3705869475 dropdown-menu jsx-3625955085\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/TheeMissGlaze\" id=\"author-sign-off-social-twitterHandle\" class=\"menu-item jsx-3565735818 jsx-3927327418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 menu-item-text\" data-text=\"X\">X<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"ign-icon icon-twitter jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"icon-twitter\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 sign-off-text\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Virginia (she\/her) is IGN\u2019s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she\u2019s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheeMissGlaze\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer\"><em>@TheeMissGlaze<\/em><\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Games industry analysts told IGN that BioWare was likely doomed well before EA\u2019s $55 billion acquisition, explaining that games like Mass Effect are now considered \u201cprestige projects\u201d for the company, and it\u2019s unlikely the sci-fi franchise, nor BioWare\u2019s other IPs, are sold off. On October 21, EA announced a major shift in strategy and a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-2214086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2214086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2214086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2214086\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2214086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2214086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2214086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}