Electronic Arts has shut down the BioWare studio after 31 years of operation. This legendary studio—responsible for developing video games such as *Mass Effect*, *Dragon Age*, *Neverwinter Nights*, *Baldur’s Gate*, *Anthem*, and *Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic*—has closed its doors, with a new *Mass Effect* title that was currently in development also being cancelled.
The closure follows EA’s acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake—a deal valued at $55 billion that was finalized last August. Following the takeover, the new owners laid off 400 employees as a measure to reduce operational costs.
EA is now shifting its focus toward sports titles—such as *EA FC* and *Madden NFL*—as well as *Battlefield*, *The Sims*, and other more profitable franchises. Although BioWare is now a thing of the past, the previously announced *Mass Effect* TV series will continue production for Prime Video.
As a die-hard BioWare fan, I would like to thank them for introducing me to the world of RPGs through *Knights of the Old Republic* (*KOTOR*). Without *KOTOR*, I might never have tried *Baldur’s Gate*, *Mass Effect*, *Diablo*, or *Fallout*.
