BioWare Shutdown: Mass Effect & Dragon Age Rights Might Be Sold, Says Ex-Dev

What happens to Mass Effect and Dragon Age now that BioWare is closing? That's the question on every fan's mind after EA announced the studio's shutdown. And one former BioWare veteran has a pretty grim prediction: the rights to those beloved franchises might end up on the auction block.

Mark Darrah, who spent over 20 years at BioWare and co-directed Dragon Age: Origins, shared his thoughts in a YouTube reaction video. With BioWare effectively defunct, he believes EA might consider selling off the studio's intellectual property. "There's nobody working on a [Mass Effect or Dragon Age] game or games within the EA organization, and chances are there never will be," Darrah said. "Which might make them more likely to sell off those IPs," he explained. "But it might also make them more likely to try to forget that they ever existed and bury them in the vault."

So which outcome is more likely? According to Darrah, neither is inherently more probable right now. And that's the frustrating part for fans. You'd think EA would recognize how iconic and beloved these franchises are and want to keep engaging those communities. But as Darrah points out, corporations rarely think that way.

There's also a financial angle to consider. EA is currently shouldering a $20 billion debt after being acquired by a conglomerate that includes the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Selling off Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and other IPs like Jade Empire could generate a quick buck. But whether EA has the energy to bother with negotiations is another question entirely. They might just prefer not to spend any more money or thought power on BioWare.

The past decade hasn't been kind to the studio, either. Mass Effect: Andromeda got a mixed response, Anthem failed to find its audience, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard truly ate dirt upon arrival two years ago. It's a sad reflection of the industry's current woes. As Darrah put it, "I'd like to play a new Mass Effect one day, but I won't be holding my breath."

Meanwhile, former Mass Effect and Star Wars: KOTOR boss Casey Hudson also weighed in, calling the closure "sad" and saying the studio's "legacy will live on through those who were part of it." It's a bittersweet sentiment for a studio that gave us so many unforgettable adventures.

What do you think? Will EA sell off these legendary franchises, or are they gone for good? Let us know in the comments.