Electronic Arts, a major video game publisher, has made the decision to close down BioWare, a renowned game development studio in Edmonton, after more than thirty years of operation.
The news of BioWare’s closure was confirmed on social media following a report by Bloomberg, which also mentioned that around 400 employees, including approximately 50 from BioWare, are being laid off.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the highly anticipated fifth installment of the Mass Effect series has been canceled.
BioWare, established in 1995, was acquired by Electronic Arts (EA) in 2007.
Reflecting on the closure, BioWare co-founder Trent Oster expressed his sadness, stating, “It’s a pretty sad day. I mean, 30 plus years ago we built something I think was pretty awesome. And it’s pretty sad to see the end of the dream.”
EA, headquartered in Redwood Shores, California, and known for popular titles like Battlefield and The Sims, recently finalized the $55 billion US sale of its business to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, investment firm Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners, managed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
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EA representatives have not yet responded to inquiries about the layoffs.
In a statement on social media, BioWare expressed gratitude for the support from players, emphasizing that the legacy of their games lives on through the community’s engagement and passion.
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