# EA closes BioWare, cancels next Mass Effect after Saudi acquisition

> **Key takeaway:** BioWare is shutting down after 30 years, ending early development on the next Mass Effect, following EA's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

**Published:** 2026-10-21T17:25:47+00:00 
**Source:** Valve Steam Community Global News 
**Category:** open-gaming 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/ea-closes-bioware-cancels-next-mass-effect-after-saudi-acqui.html 

## Summary
BioWare studio leadership confirmed the closure in an online statement, ending work on the next Mass Effect project. The shutdown comes shortly after EA was acquired by private investors led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Bloomberg reports approximately 400 people will be laid off. EA executives have reportedly indicated further cuts to people and projects are planned.

## BioWare's final years and ownership context
- BioWare's most recent release, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, reportedly missed EA's sales expectations by nearly 50%
- The studio underwent internal pivots and reboots during development, including a forced shift toward live-service models
- Anthem, the live-service shooter, was both a commercial and critical failure and diverted staff from other projects
- Former BioWare lead Mark Darrah attributed The Veilguard's underperformance to unreasonable expectations from EA
- EA's new owners are reportedly considering merging the publisher into a new corporation with mobile giant Scopely

## Why it matters
The closure removes one of the most influential Western RPG studios from active development. For Linux and Steam Deck players, it ends any prospect of future BioWare titles receiving native or Proton-supported releases.