Report: EA Shut Down Bioware To Fund New Star Wars Battlefront Game

Electronic Arts (EA) recently announced the closure of Canadian studio BioWare, which coincides with the cancellation of an upcoming Mass Effect game. This significant move is part of a broader layoff affecting 400 employees. The primary reason cited for this decision is the staggering debt resulting from EA's leveraged buyout. However, BioWare's closure was also influenced by the company's focus on prioritizing the development of an upcoming Star Wars Battlefront title.

Bloomberg previously reported that EA will continue to invest in sports games, Apex Legends, and action-adventure projects following the closure of BioWare. Among these projects, an upcoming Star Wars Battlefront game is believed to be in development, with Respawn Entertainment and DICE involved. EA reportedly received an offer from Walt Disney's Lucasfilm to develop this game.

The decision to prioritize the Star Wars Battlefront project over the Mass Effect game was made due to EA's current financial situation. The publisher deemed the Star Wars Battlefront game a safer option, despite the fact that the Mass Effect title was already in early development when BioWare was shut down. The upcoming Star Wars Battlefront game, while not yet in development, was considered the more financially viable choice.

Corporate politics may have also played a role in the decision. The report mentions that EA shuffled its executive ranks, promoting veteran executives from EA Sports David Tinson and Cam Weber, while sidelining Laura Miele, who had advocated for both BioWare and Mass Effect. This shift aligns with EA's current focus on sports and action-adventure games, with the two veterans spearheading the announcement of the layoffs, including the remaining 50 employees at BioWare.