A reader expresses hope that EA might sell BioWare, allowing the studio to regain independence and save Mass Effect from the company's financial troubles.
EA's Debt and Cuts
EA has announced plans to cut at least $125 million, which will likely result in entire teams being laid off. The company is reportedly in billions of dollars of debt, raising concerns about the future of its major franchises.
BioWare's Uncertain Future
Rumors that BioWare might be sold have been dismissed by many, but the reader wishes they were true. Selling the studio, as Microsoft did with Double Fine, could allow BioWare to thrive outside EA's corporate structure.
The reader believes EA is unlikely to produce another Dragon Age game after The Veilguard's poor reception, and the new Mass Effect title seems perpetually delayed. With EA desperate to recover $20 billion, the chances of a new Mass Effect seem slim.
Mass Effect's Potential
From EA's perspective, Mass Effect is successful but not a top-tier franchise like Assassin's Creed or God of War. The remastered trilogy performed well but didn't prove to EA that a new entry would be worth the investment.
There's a slight possibility EA might invest in new projects to show confidence, but the reader doubts this will last given the massive debt. A true Mass Effect 4 is unlikely to generate the revenue needed to make a dent.
A Call for Independence
The reader suggests the only real solution is for BioWare to leave EA and become independent or find a publisher that genuinely wants to elevate the franchise. They recall BioWare's heyday in the late 2000s and early 2010s, but since Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age: Inquisition, the studio has declined.
While a change could bring positive outcomes, the reader fears BioWare is on borrowed time, with layoffs likely imminent.
