Franchises Like Mass Effect Are a 'Prestige Project' for EA, and BioWare's Closure Was 'Entirely Predictable,' Analysts Say

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.