BioWare
BioWare business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Save Mass Effect Petition Passes 240,000 Signatures After BioWare Closure
A fan petition on Change.org to save the Mass Effect series has garnered over 240,000 signatures following the announcement of BioWare's closure. The petition urges Electronic Arts to either continue developing Mass Effect games with proper resources or license the intellectual property to another studio.
Games Inbox: Is Marvel's Wolverine an underrated video game?
This collection of reader letters discusses the perceived underappreciation of Marvel's Wolverine, its impact on PlayStation 5 sales, and the rising cost of next-generation hardware and digital games. Other topics include potential new handheld consoles from Sony and Microsoft, the discovery of hidden codes in F-Zero GX, the future of BioWare franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and speculation about Nintendo's next mainline Zelda title.
Former Mass Effect 5 Art Director Says Cancellation is “Truly Heartbreaking”
Nicolas Bouvier, former art director for a canceled Mass Effect project at BioWare, expressed his heartbreak over the studio's closure and the project's cancellation. He described working with a talented and tightly-knit team, lamenting that their work would never be seen by the public. Other writers and former executives also commented on the closure and the uncertain future of the Mass Effect franchise and its IP.
Mass Effect: Universe Would Involve a Multiverse by Including All Choices From the Originals – Rumor
Details have emerged regarding the canceled Mass Effect sequel, reportedly titled Mass Effect: Universe, which would have incorporated player choices from previous games to create parallel timelines and alternate universes. Former developers discussed the ambitious scope, which included a new customizable protagonist, a galaxy set 600 years after Mass Effect 3 with new factions, and gameplay elements inspired by Hitman and John Wick. The article also touches on the potential for a live-action TV adaptation and the future of the Mass Effect IP.
Here’s Another Mass Effect 5 Leak To Break Your Heart
Composer Austin Wintory has shared nearly 20 minutes of music he created for a potential Mass Effect 5 project, tentatively titled Mass Effect: Universe. Wintory expressed his long-held dream of working on the franchise and shared his experimental score, which was developed in discussions with BioWare and Electronic Arts before the project's apparent cancellation.
Mass Effect 5 was Journey composer's "biggest dream project," and he was in "serious discussions" with BioWare to handle the soundtrack – here's 20 minutes of music he composed for the RPG
Legendary composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey, has shared 20 minutes of music he composed as early drafts for the canceled Mass Effect 5. Wintory described working on the game as his "biggest dream project" and had been in serious discussions with BioWare to handle the soundtrack. The music blends synths and orchestral sounds, aiming to build upon the original Mass Effect score.
The developer of one of my favorite 2020s RPGs does it because of BioWare: 'Baldur's Gate 1 is the first game…
Anders Lauridsen, lead developer of Skald: Against the Black Priory, discusses how BioWare's Baldur's Gate was the first game he truly loved and a major inspiration for his career in CRPGs. He highlights how BioWare's games captured the essence of tabletop role-playing and inspired a generation of developers.
Veteran game composer in talks to score Mass Effect 5 shares 20 minutes of music he wrote for the project: 'To even…
Composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey and Stray Gods, has shared 20 minutes of music he created as an early draft for Mass Effect 5. Wintory was in serious talks with BioWare and EA to score the game, treating the original Mass Effect's synth-heavy score as a starting point while incorporating a large orchestra.
Mass Effect fans ramp up efforts to save BioWare's RPG series with a Times Square billboard and plans for more ads outside The Game Awards
Fans are organizing efforts to save the Mass Effect series after Electronic Arts reportedly cancelled the next game and shut down BioWare. Initiatives include a Times Square billboard, planned ads near EA headquarters and The Game Awards, and a petition with over 226,000 signatures urging EA to continue the franchise. Community-funded efforts are also raising money for the Game Workers' Hardship Fund.
Mass Effect fan group buys billboard in Times Square promoting petition to save series
A Mass Effect fan group has rented a digital billboard in Times Square to promote their Change.org petition, which has garnered over 224,000 signatures and calls for Electronic Arts to commit to continuing the series. The billboard features a message in the game's fictional Quarian language and highlights the ongoing fan efforts to secure the future of the franchise.
CD Projekt marks the 19th anniversary of its first Witcher RPG with a tribute to BioWare: 'Their support helped turn our vision into Geralt’s first interactive adventure'
CD Projekt celebrated the 19th anniversary of its first game, The Witcher, by honoring BioWare for its crucial support in the RPG's development and early promotion. The article also touches on the recent closure of BioWare by Electronic Arts, framing it as a significant loss for the industry.
Auroch Digital lays off a quarter of its staff
Auroch Digital has laid off approximately a quarter of its staff due to challenging market conditions affecting the game development industry. The studio, acquired by Sumo Group in 2021, cited the need to restructure to navigate a turbulent period, expressing pride in recent game releases like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun and Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War. The company is seeking to place its affected staff in new roles within the industry.
223,000+ people sign petition to "save Mass Effect"
Over 223,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging Electronic Arts to commit to the continued development of the Mass Effect franchise. The petition was started in response to EA's announcement of closing BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and cancelling the next Mass Effect project. The petitioners suggest EA either properly fund and staff the franchise or license the intellectual property to another studio.
The Witcher "wouldn't have been possible" without BioWare, CD Projekt Red reminds fans as the RPG turns…
CD Projekt Red celebrated the 19th anniversary of the original The Witcher game, acknowledging the crucial support received from BioWare. BioWare provided CD Projekt Red with their Aurora Engine and assistance at E3, which was instrumental in the development of The Witcher. This collaboration highlights the intertwined history of the two studios, with both finding significant success in the RPG genre.
220,000-signatory petition to "save Mass Effect" doesn't mention BioWare, suggests giving Mass Effect 5 to somebody else
A Change.org petition with around 220,000 signatories is calling on Electronic Arts to "save Mass Effect" by committing to its continued development or licensing the IP to another studio. The petition notably omits any mention of BioWare, the original developer, which the article criticizes as a strange oversight given recent layoffs. The author expresses skepticism about the petition's corporate-friendly language and its effectiveness in addressing the underlying issues.
Fan Petition To Save Mass Effect Is Now Past 218,000 Signatures
A fan petition to save the Mass Effect series has garnered over 218,000 signatures amid concerns about the potential closure of BioWare. Fans are actively urging Electronic Arts to secure the future of the beloved franchise.
Mass Effect Petition Hopes to Save Franchise After EA News
Following Electronic Arts' decision to close BioWare and cancel the next Mass Effect game, a fan petition on Change.org has garnered over 200,000 signatures. The petition urges EA to fund the continuation of the Mass Effect franchise or license the IP to another studio, highlighting the series' importance in the sci-fi RPG genre.
Save Mass Effect movement backed by The Expanse RPG devs inspired by BioWare: "The Expanse show was saved by fans…
Following the announcement of BioWare's closure and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game, a fan campaign to save the franchise has gained significant traction, amassing over 210,000 signatures. Owlcat Games, developers of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, have publicly backed the #SaveMassEffect movement, drawing parallels to how The Expanse TV series was revived by fan support. However, Mass Effect 5's former technical director, Romain Toutain, expressed skepticism about EA's willingness to revive dormant franchises.
"EA never actually sells anything," former Mass Effect 5 dev says – so don't expect the RPG to be saved as "they just shut things down and sit on their licenses"
A former BioWare developer suggests Electronic Arts is unlikely to sell the Mass Effect IP or Mass Effect 5 to another studio following BioWare's closure and the game's apparent cancellation. The developer stated that EA "never actually sells anything" and tends to "shut things down and sit on their licenses." This sentiment is echoed by former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, who noted that executives are incentivized against taking risks with IP.
Mass Effect 5 was named Universe partly because it let players generate alternate timelines based on their choices in previous entries, technical director says
Romain Toutain, franchise technical director at BioWare, revealed that the internal title Mass Effect Universe was considered for Mass Effect 5 partly due to a system that allowed players to generate alternate timelines based on their choices from previous games. This ambitious feature aimed to give players "absolute autonomy" by creating branching narratives and even generating content to ensure mission completion, though it was complex to implement. The article also touches on the leaked internal trailer for the game and the studio's shutdown.
