Standing on BioWare’s grave, EA says “we should be proud” to be top “publisher in Western HD gaming”
By (Image credit: EA)
The now-defunct RPG icon BioWare is simply a footnote in a recent announcement from EA’s senior leadership outlining the firm’s next phase following an acquisition propelled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. COO David Tinson and CSO Cam Weber assert that “we should feel proud” of what EA has evolved into.
“At present, we’re the top publisher in Western HD gaming,” the executives’ unified statement, initially disclosed to EA staff, states. “That represents an exceptional position to lead from, and one we should feel proud of. However, our industry is evolving rapidly. Gamers have more options than ever for their time and focus, competition is escalating, and some of our biggest growth prospects lie outside the markets, platforms, and business models where EA has historically excelled.”
It remains ambiguous by which standards EA is gauging the oddly precise niche of “Western HD gaming,” although the company’s extensive reach and sales figures are undeniable. Similarly, its assortment of closed studios cannot be overlooked.
The closure of BioWare, a foundational entity in the RPG genre since 1995, receives only a brief mention in this announcement.
“As we concentrate on these broader opportunities, we have had a small group at BioWare focusing on the initial development of Mass Effect,” it conveys. “We have opted not to proceed with this development, which entails shutting down the studio and our Edmonton workspace. BioWare is a renowned studio that played a crucial role in shaping the role-playing genre, and we do not make this choice lightly.”
(Image credit: EA Games / BioWare)
EA dedicates significantly more time elucidating its intentions to reinforce EA Sports, with shooters managed by “our Respawn and DICE studios” cooperatively, alongside action-adventure titles such as the forthcoming Marvel’s Iron Man and “the next Star Wars Jedi game.”
The Sims and Skate are also referenced, though with minimal or negative updates. The Sims’ enigmatic project “Project Lotus” is “pausing development,” while Skate’s development team is “implementing modifications” to cultivate “a more concentrated,
