“EA Never Understood BioWare,” Say Jennifer Hale and Mark Darrah, as Fans Call on CD Projekt to Save Mass Effect

Key Points:

• Electronic Arts' decision to shut down BioWare has sparked significant backlash, with key industry figures like voice actress Jennifer Hale and developer Mark Darrah criticizing EA's lack of understanding of BioWare's core identity.
• Jennifer Hale expressed hope that EA might sell BioWare's intellectual properties to other parties who could better honor the studio's legacy, emphasizing EA's prioritization of profit margins over the studio's creative vision.
• Mark Darrah suggested that EA's acquisition of BioWare was accidental and driven by interest in other studios, leading to mismanagement and a focus on live service games, exemplified by the failure of Anthem, which contributed to BioWare's decline.
• Fans of BioWare, particularly supporters of the Mass Effect series, have mobilized through petitions and public campaigns to save the studio and its IPs, even appealing to CD Projekt RED for intervention.
• CD Projekt RED acknowledged BioWare's influence and support on the 19th anniversary of The Witcher, but despite this recognition, there are currently no concrete plans for them to take over BioWare's properties or operations.