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BioWare Becomes First Major Casualty Of Saudi Arabia's EA Takeover
Defector • • technology
Key Points:
- Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund acquired a majority stake in Electronic Arts (EA) last year, a move criticized for worsening EA's management and creative direction.
- EA announced the shutdown of BioWare, the studio behind iconic RPG series like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, resulting in around 400 job cuts.
- BioWare's decline began after poor sales of Dragon Age: The Veilguard in early 2025, leading to significant layoffs and a reduction to about 50 employees by the time of closure.
- The cancellation of BioWare also halted the development of a teased new Mass Effect game, ending hopes for future projects from the studio.
- BioWare was once renowned for pioneering story-driven RPGs but struggled with recent failures like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem, culminating in its closure under EA's ownership.
