BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk found massive success with the Mass Effect saga, but now he shares his experience working in a major company. Criticizing EA, he claims he was never suited for corporate life because “EA gives you enough rope to hang yourself.”

Although BioWare has spent over a decade trying to deliver another major hit, it remains one of the most influential studios in the gaming industry. Founded in 1995, the company has developed numerous classic RPGs before creating the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises under the EA umbrella in 2007. While working with a major publisher provides access to vast resources and a broader audience, it also introduces a corporate structure that not all developers are comfortable with.

In an interview with Eurogamer, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk opened up about his experiences working under a major publisher like EA. His most striking comment? “EA gives you enough rope to hang yourself.” This phrase reflects the paradox of corporate freedom: while developers might seem to have creative liberty, the reality of corporate structure can ultimately limit them. “I like to say that EA gives you enough rope to hang yourself. And what I mean by that is that you have to learn how to work within the system.”

The Reality of Corporate Culture at BioWare

Following the failure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, EA laid off dozens of developers, though during Zeschuk’s tenure, the studio thrived with the Mass Effect trilogy. “I think we did pretty well when you look at what we achieved with the Mass Effect trilogy. That was actually a very successful time. But you need to understand how to work within a big company. And for me, that was the end. By my second year, I already knew I was going to leave. I just didn’t know when.” – he revealed via GamesRadar.

Despite his success, Zeschuk knew early on that he wouldn’t last long in a corporate environment like EA. BioWare was given some leeway at the time, even being allowed to develop a Facebook game under a fake company name. Zeschuk also revealed that Microsoft gave them poor advice, suggesting that Jade Empire be released exclusively on the original Xbox instead of the Xbox 360, a decision that ultimately limited its success.

Source: 3djuegos