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BioWare’s Mass Effect Team of Around 50 People Lost Out to Star Wars Battlefront 3 as EA Sidelined Laura Miele, Its Key Advocate

Electronic Arts canceled its upcoming Mass Effect project and shut down developer BioWare after choosing to fund Star Wars Battlefront 3 instead. According to a Bloomberg report by Jason Schreier, EA executives weighed the prospects of both science fiction projects before selecting the Star Wars title. The decision resulted in the termination of BioWare's approximately 50-person Mass Effect development team. Laura Miele, a key advocate for the studio and project inside EA, was reportedly sidelined during the internal deliberations that led to the cancellation and closure.

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  • ✓ Electronic Arts shut down BioWare and canceled its Mass Effect project.
  • ✓ EA chose to prioritize and fund Star Wars Battlefront 3 over the Mass Effect project.
  • ✓ BioWare's Mass Effect development team consisted of around 50 people.
  • ✓ Laura Miele acted as a key internal advocate for BioWare before being sidelined.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 15 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

A new report from Bloomberg revealed that BioWare was shut down because EA chose to prioritize funding for Star Wars Battlefront 3 over Mass Effect 5.

Live updates

  1. EA Cancels Mass Effect and Closes BioWare for Star Wars Battlefront 3

    Electronic Arts canceled its upcoming Mass Effect project and shut down developer BioWare after choosing to fund Star Wars Battlefront 3 instead. According to a Bloomberg report by Jason Schreier, EA executives weighed the prospects of both science fiction projects before selecting the Star Wars title. The decision resulted in the termination of BioWare's approximately 50-person Mass Effect development team. Laura Miele, a key advocate for the studio and project inside EA, was reportedly sidelined during the internal deliberations that led to the cancellation and closure.

    Why it matters

    The closure of BioWare marks a major turning point for the storied role-playing game studio, known for franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. BioWare co-founders Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka have spoken out about the shutdown, with Zeschuk criticizing executives who have never made a game and pointing to corporate buyouts as final nails in the coffin. Industry observers noted that EA faced tough financial and strategic decisions following major corporate transactions.

    What is confirmed

    • Electronic Arts shut down BioWare and canceled its Mass Effect project.
    • EA chose to prioritize and fund Star Wars Battlefront 3 over the Mass Effect project.
    • BioWare's Mass Effect development team consisted of around 50 people.
    • Laura Miele acted as a key internal advocate for BioWare before being sidelined.

    Still unconfirmed

    • EA closed BioWare to save $700M following a $55B buyout.
    • LucasFilm considered either Sony or EA as a development partner for its next Star Wars Battlefront game.

    What to watch next

    • Official statements from Electronic Arts regarding the closure of BioWare and the status of future Star Wars titles
    • Further financial disclosures regarding EA cost-saving measures following its buyout
    Sources used for this update (15)
    1. Bloomberg — Why Electronic Arts Shut Down BioWare And Cancelled ‘Mass Effect’
    2. 80 Level — BioWare Co-Founder Greg Zeschuk Says Studio Was Killed by Executives Who Have Never "Made a Game”
    3. IGN — BioWare Co-Founder: EA's Private Equity Buyout Was 'the Final Nail in the Coffin'
    4. TweakTown — EA reportedly canceled Mass Effect and shut down BioWare to prioritize a new Star Wars: Battlefront
    5. Windows Central — EA reportedly had to choose between Mass Effect and Star Wars Battlefront 3. BioWare lost
    6. Wccftech — BioWare’s Mass Effect Team of Around 50 People Lost Out to Star Wars Battlefront 3 as EA Sidelined Laura Miele, Its Key Advocate
    7. www.eurogamer.net — EA reportedly closed BioWare because it was forced to choose ...
    8. www.ign.com — Mass Effect 5 and BioWare Reportedly Died So Star Wars ...
    9. wccftech.com — BioWare’s Mass Effect Team of Around 50 People Lost Out to ...
    10. tech.yahoo.com — EA reportedly had to choose between Mass Effect and Star Wars ...
    11. www.techpowerup.com — EA Cancelled Mass Effect To Fund Star Wars: Battlefront 3
    12. www.cbr.com — Mass Effect Studio Shut Down Because EA “Chose to ... - CBR
    confidence 95%
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