After a report emerged that Electronic Arts was shuttering the studio, it’s now official: BioWare is no more. In a new blog post, it said early development on the next Mass Effect, which it was completely focused on, is coming to a close.
“There is nothing easy about writing those words. Our focus right now is on our incredibly talented team who put their hearts into these games, and supporting one another through this transition.”
For some, the writing may have been on the wall ever since Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners acquired Electronic Arts, BioWare’s parent company. However, the studio, best known for story-focused role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect, hasn’t been the same for a long time.
Following the underwhelming Mass Effect: Andromeda, it released Anthem to a negative response and eventually ended support after an overhaul failed to gain traction. The team would focus on a new Mass Effect and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but the latter launched in 2024 to a mixed response from fans and underwhelming sales.
Nevertheless, the studio has influenced numerous developers over the decades and delivered some of the most memorable RPG storylines. “What generations of BioWare built together is something to celebrate and remember,” it said. “These games became so much more because you played them, debated your choices, fell in love with the characters, and made these worlds your own.
“From all of us at BioWare, thank you for being the most meaningful part of our story.”
Electronic Arts has not commented on whether it will continue development of the next Mass Effect or shelve the IP entirely. The possibility of selling it or Dragon Age to other publishers and developers remains slim, but stay tuned for any updates.
