Games industry analysts told IGN that BioWare was likely doomed well before EA’s $55 billion acquisition, explaining that games like Mass Effect are now considered “prestige projects” for the company, and it’s unlikely the sci-fi franchise, nor BioWare’s other IPs, are sold off.

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 closure of BioWare, 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 — something the leaked internal trailer for Mass Effect Universe made all the more difficult to accept.

Needless to say, Mass Effect fans were gutted by the news, hoping against hope that EA might sell off BioWare’s IP rather than letting them languish in obscurity. But analysts have expressed doubt that outside companies will take on BioWare's franchises, even as EA faces down a massive debt incurred by its acquisition.

When asked about this possibility, industry analyst Joost van Dreunen said, “maybe,” but explained that these IPs are likely far too costly — and far too time-consuming — for other developers to tackle.

“In many ways, BioWare'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.

Source link