Report: EA Chose Battlefront 3 Over Mass Effect 5, Impacting BioWare's Future

A Bloomberg investigation published on October 30 has identified EA's reported decision to prioritize Star Wars Battlefront 3 over Mass Effect 5 as a major reason behind BioWare's closure. The move marked the end of the well-known RPG developer, which reportedly shut down earlier in October.

According to Bloomberg's report examining BioWare's downfall, EA leadership decided to pursue the Star Wars shooter after Disney gave the publisher an opportunity to develop Battlefront 3. The proposal came at a difficult financial period for EA, which was dealing with debt associated with its leveraged buyout involving Saudi government investment and private equity ownership. With the company seeking to reduce spending, executives reportedly favored a recognizable Star Wars project with a more predictable commercial appeal over the costly development of an internal RPG. Interestingly, production on Battlefront 3 had reportedly not begun at the time of the decision, although Respawn Entertainment and DICE were expected to take responsibility for its development.

EA says the closure followed months of planning

An EA representative told Bloomberg that the decision to shut down BioWare was made collectively after an extended period of internal discussions and evaluation. The spokesperson explained that the company had spent several months reviewing its business strategy, considering changing market conditions, industry developments, and its broader long-term objectives before reaching the conclusion.

However, Bloomberg's findings suggest that financial considerations were not the only factors behind BioWare's decline. The studio had experienced a series of disappointing releases over several years, beginning with Mass Effect: Andromeda in 2017, followed by Anthem and later Dragon Age: The Veilguard. These projects reportedly contributed to concerns about the developer's overall performance and commercial prospects.

Changes within EA's executive leadership during the summer of 2026 may have also influenced the situation. David Tinson and Cam Weber, both associated with EA Sports, were promoted to senior positions, while Laura Miele, previously viewed as a supporter of BioWare, shifted her attention toward exploring strategic growth opportunities outside EA's main business operations. These organizational changes may have further affected the studio's position within the company.

What the report means for Mass Effect

BioWare's closure also brought an end to the next installment in the Mass Effect franchise, which EA reportedly cancelled when the studio shut down in October. Reports indicate that the cancelled project was internally known as Mass Effect Universe. Its proposed concept involved alternate timelines shaped by decisions players had made throughout previous games in the series. The idea had reportedly been discussed by the project's former technical director before development was terminated.

Destructoid has also reported that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund became EA's majority owner, providing additional context for the company's financial restructuring and reported cost-cutting strategy. This ownership arrangement has been linked in reports to the financial pressures surrounding EA's decision to prioritize Battlefront 3. However, EA has not independently confirmed all the ownership and decision-making details described in these reports.