Why BioWare Should Hand Over Mass Effect to a New Studio After ME4

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It seems that BioWare is indeed progressing with the anticipated Mass Effect 4, a development that brings relief, considering recent whispers about the studio potentially closing after the underwhelming reception of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. However, despite assurances of its current survival, BioWare’s prestige is far from the heights it reached during the glory days of Mass Effect, and it may never regain that level if it continues on its present course.

Despite the contentious ending of Mass Effect 3, it managed to sell and receive positive reviews, with many players reminiscing fondly about it. It didn’t ruin the series as a whole. However, Mass Effect Andromeda tells a different tale: its buggy debut and uninspired writing made it a lackluster sequel to the groundbreaking Mass Effect games that came before, leaving fans yearning for the “BioWare magic” that graced games like Mass Effect 2, KOTOR, and Baldur’s Gate. Unfortunately, BioWare stumbled again with Anthem, offering an early warning of the challenges big-budget live-service games could face. While Veilguard hasn’t sparked the same widespread criticism as its predecessors, it didn’t prove to be the game needed to restore BioWare to its past heights. This leaves the studio in a challenging position heading into Mass Effect 4.

BioWare Might Want To Hand Off Mass Effect to Another Studio

Although it might appear surprising, considering that Mass Effect is arguably BioWare’s most notable achievement, there are indications that the studio might no longer be ideally suited for its continued development. One can only cross their fingers in hopes of a successful Mass Effect 4, but recent releases have left fans less than optimistic. This suggestion, while it may seem harsh, could potentially be beneficial for BioWare if they are allowed to explore new creative horizons beyond Mass Effect.

BioWare Isn’t What It Used To Be

Subjectively, BioWare appears to have shifted from its past glory: over ten years have passed since they launched a game as critically acclaimed and polished as “Mass Effect 2” or “Dragon Age: Origins.” However, this change is not just subjective; it’s also evident in the departure of many key figures who once led the studio. This includes Casey Hudson, the game director for the Mass Effect trilogy, and David Gaider, the lead writer for “Dragon Age: Origins.

As a gamer, I’ve got to be honest here: It’s just unrealistic to expect the new BioWare bosses to match the studio’s past glory. It’s not about their skills or commitment; they’re simply different creators with unique visions and objectives. This issue is prevalent in many franchises, where one hit can skyrocket an IP to fame, and subsequent releases, helmed by new faces, strive to replicate that success. Sometimes, it works, but more often than not, the result is a pale imitation of the original, like what happened with Mass Effect: Andromeda and Veilguard.

New-BioWare Deserves to Strike Out On Its Own

Publishers like AAA often appear resistant to novel concepts: why gamble on a new intellectual property (IP) when a sequel, spin-off, or remake of a well-known game offers an established fanbase? However, fresh IP can create ripples too – remember, every successful franchise started as a new idea. EA acknowledges this, having recently released the incredibly popular games It Takes Two and Split Fiction, both of which are highly praised for their originality.

BioWare has been under pressure from fans who expect the studio’s new games to meet the high standards set by its past classics. This pressure ties the studio to a past that may not be replicable, intentionally or otherwise. Allowing other teams to develop titles like Mass Effect and Dragon Age might lead to stronger entries in those series, but it could also enable BioWare to create more innovative and daring games of its own.

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2025-04-13 15:38