Franchises Like Mass Effect Are a 'Prestige Project' for EA, and BioWare's Closure Was 'Entirely Predictable,' Analysts Say

Electronic Arts has confirmed the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the upcoming Mass Effect game. Industry analysts told IGN that this move was predictable from a business perspective. EA needs to make drastic cuts to service $18 billion in debt resulting from its leveraged sale to Silver Lake, Affinity, and Saudi Arabia's PIF. With annual interest payments reaching $1.8 billion, prestige projects like Mass Effect are no longer sustainable despite their status within the company.