EA Reportedly Chose Star Wars Battlefront 3 Over Mass Effect, Leading to BioWare Shutdown

Electronic Arts (EA) reportedly shut down the legendary RPG studio BioWare after deciding to prioritize a new Star Wars: Battlefront III project instead of continuing development on the next Mass Effect game.

According to a new Bloomberg report by journalist Jason Schreier, EA executives faced a difficult decision while reviewing the company's upcoming projects. Both the next Mass Effect title and a potential third Star Wars: Battlefront game were expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Rather than funding both projects, executives reportedly chose Star Wars, viewing it as a less risky and more predictable investment.

The report offers a new explanation for BioWare's closure, which ended more than three decades of work from one of the gaming industry's most influential RPG developers.

EA Reportedly Picked Star Wars Over Mass Effect

Bloomberg's report suggests that EA was evaluating two major science-fiction projects when it reviewed its future development plans.

One was the next Mass Effect game, which had been in development at BioWare. The other was a proposed Star Wars: Battlefront III project that would involve the opportunity to work with Disney's Lucasfilm.

Both games were expected to require hundreds of millions of dollars in investment.

According to people familiar with EA's strategy who spoke anonymously to Bloomberg, executives decided to invest in Star Wars rather than continue with the next Mass Effect.

The reasoning reportedly came down to risk. EA executives considered Battlefront III a more predictable commercial opportunity than another Mass Effect RPG.

That decision ultimately left BioWare without an active project, contributing to the studio's shutdown.

Star Wars Battlefront 3 Had Not Started Development

Perhaps the most surprising part of the report is that Star Wars: Battlefront III reportedly had not even entered development when EA made its decision.

Despite that, executives apparently considered the opportunity more attractive than continuing work on Mass Effect.

Neither EA nor Lucasfilm has officially announced Battlefront III, and there is no confirmed release date, gameplay footage or development schedule.

Previous reporting has connected EA's collaboration between Respawn Entertainment and DICE to a future Star Wars project. However, the exact details of the proposed game have not been officially confirmed.

For now, Battlefront III should be treated as a reported project rather than an officially announced game.

Why EA Considered Battlefront a Safer Investment

The decision reportedly reflects EA's preference for projects that offer more predictable financial returns.

Star Wars is one of the world's most recognizable entertainment franchises, with an established audience across movies, television, merchandise and video games.

Battlefront also gives EA an opportunity to return to a shooter franchise that already has an established player base.

Mass Effect, on the other hand, is a narrative-driven RPG series. Its games typically require extensive storytelling, character development, world-building and long development cycles.

Although Mass Effect has a dedicated fan base, its recent history has been more complicated than the success of its original trilogy.

From EA's reported financial perspective, Battlefront may have appeared to offer a more predictable path to a commercial release.

EA's Financial Situation May Have Influenced the Decision

The Bloomberg report also highlights the financial pressure surrounding EA following its major leveraged buyout.

The approximately $55 billion acquisition involved substantial debt, reportedly leaving the company with around $18 billion in debt obligations.

That financial situation may have increased pressure on executives to prioritize projects with more predictable release schedules and revenue opportunities.

Jason Schreier also explained that EA needs reliable cash flow to service its debt. A Battlefront project that could potentially meet its deadlines may therefore have looked more attractive than a Mass Effect game that could face further delays.

This provides important context for understanding why EA might have chosen one major science-fiction franchise over another.

The Next Mass Effect Game Was Already Years Away

The next Mass Effect game had been announced in 2020, but it was still in the early stages of development.

According to Bloomberg's reporting, the project had already experienced delays and interruptions. The team was reportedly paused for approximately two years while developers worked on Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Following earlier layoffs in 2025, only a relatively small group of developers remained involved with the next Mass Effect project.

The game was reportedly still years away from completion.

That long development timeline may have made the project less attractive to EA executives looking for more predictable investments.

BioWare's Closure Ends an Important Chapter in Gaming

BioWare spent more than 30 years building some of the most recognizable RPG franchises in the industry.

Its portfolio includes:

• Baldur's Gate
• Neverwinter Nights
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
• Mass Effect
• Dragon Age

These games helped establish BioWare's reputation for memorable characters, complex storytelling and meaningful player choices.

However, the studio had faced years of challenges, including developer departures, production difficulties and disappointing commercial or critical performances from some recent releases.

The closure therefore represents the end of a long period of change rather than the result of one isolated decision.

EA Has Not Confirmed Bloomberg's Explanation

Although Bloomberg's report provides a detailed account of the decision, EA has not publicly confirmed that choosing Battlefront III over Mass Effect was the direct reason for BioWare's shutdown.

An EA spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company reached its decision following months of planning, review and analysis.

The company also referred to changing business conditions, industry dynamics and its long-term priorities.

EA said difficult decisions were necessary to focus its teams on the biggest opportunities across its portfolio.

However, its statement did not directly confirm or deny the reported Battlefront III and Mass Effect comparison.

What Happens to Mass Effect Now?

The future of the Mass Effect video game series is uncertain.

With BioWare shut down and its next game reportedly cancelled, fans may have to wait a long time before seeing another major entry in the franchise.

However, the series is not necessarily disappearing from every entertainment platform. A Mass Effect television adaptation is also in development at Amazon.

There is currently no confirmed information about whether EA will revive the next game through another development team or pursue a different approach to the franchise.

Former BioWare Developers Are Working on a New Sci-Fi RPG

There is still some encouraging news for fans of BioWare-style storytelling.

Several former BioWare developers have joined Archetype Entertainment, a studio working on a science-fiction RPG called Exodus.

The team includes experienced developers such as James Ohlen, Chad Robertson and Drew Karpyshyn, who previously contributed to BioWare's games.

Exodus is not a new Mass Effect title, but its science-fiction setting and narrative ambitions could appeal to players who miss the studio's earlier RPG experiences.

It may offer fans another way to experience the kind of storytelling that made BioWare famous.

Star Wars May Have Won, but BioWare Fans Lost

The reported decision creates an unusual situation for the gaming industry.

EA appears to have chosen a Star Wars shooter that reportedly had not started development over an established RPG franchise with decades of history.

For Battlefront fans, the possibility of a third game is exciting. But for Mass Effect players, the news is another disappointing development in the franchise's uncertain future.

More importantly, BioWare's shutdown raises questions about how major publishers evaluate creative studios and expensive game projects.

Until EA or Lucasfilm makes an official announcement, Battlefront III's future remains uncertain. What is clear from the reporting, however, is that the next Mass Effect game and the studio behind it have suffered a major setback.