Canadian Politician Proposes Initiative to Revitalize BioWare and Mass Effect

The gaming world is still processing the shocking news that EA, alongside its new private equity backers, has closed the iconic BioWare. This studio has been a cornerstone of the industry, celebrated for classics like Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Jade Empire. Just as the dust settled, a former BioWare developer leaked a trailer for the unreleased Mass Effect Universe, adding to the heartbreak.

While the Mass Effect franchise may seem finished, a Canadian politician has proposed a way to revive the Edmonton-based studio. Avi Lewis, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “This is private equity; this is what it does. Buy up businesses, run them into the ground, and rip them apart for short-term profit.”

Lewis emphasized that the talented developers at BioWare are the ones who truly understand how to run the studio and create the beloved games fans cherish. He believes they should be given the chance, along with federal support, to buy back the studio and manage it independently. He warned that to prevent a similar fate for other Canadian studios, the government should be cautious about welcoming private equity.

Lewis’s comments suggest he supports the idea of the Canadian government assisting BioWare employees in reclaiming the studio from EA, potentially restoring its independence for the first time in nearly two decades. While his party lacks the majority in the House of Commons to enact such changes alone, it will be intriguing to see if his words lead to any action.

Eleanor Olszewski, the MP for Edmonton Centre, also voiced her disappointment over the closure of such a significant Canadian developer. She noted, “BioWare has showcased Edmonton’s creativity and talent on the world stage since 1995. The closing of Alberta’s most prominent video game developer is disappointing, and our government will be there to work with partners to support homegrown talent here in Edmonton and to ensure Canada has a strong digital sector.”

Though it may seem unlikely that these comments will lead to tangible results, political commentator and historian Christo Aivalis pointed out that direct government involvement has historically benefited Canadian projects in the film industry. He argued that without such intervention, many successful initiatives might not have come to fruition.

However, even if the Canadian government were to revive BioWare, the studio has faced significant challenges over the years, with many former employees already moving on. EA previously shut down BioWare Montreal after Mass Effect Andromeda fell short of sales expectations. In 2023, 20% of BioWare’s workforce was cut, with further layoffs anticipated following the underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Despite these setbacks, the remaining team could still have crafted something exciting with Mass Effect 5, especially if EA hadn’t reportedly pushed the studio toward live-service models.

This marks the end of an era for one of gaming’s most cherished studios.