Mass Effect fans and one of BioWare’s most respected writers fear the worst after Electronic Arts was acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Following the 2025 mega-deal, Patrick Weekes and the community are already saying goodbye to the beloved series.

It’s official: what started as a credible rumor reported by the Washington Post last Friday has now become reality — the second-largest acquisition in gaming history is complete. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and several partners have bought Electronic Arts for a staggering $55 billion, a seismic move that’s already shaking the industry. Beyond the financial implications, the deal has sparked deep concern — even among veterans like Patrick Weekes.

We all know BioWare, the legendary Canadian studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age. But the company is far from its glory days. After years of creative missteps and a round of layoffs in early 2025, Dragon Age: The Veilguard failed to win over critics or audiences. Although a new Mass Effect is still in development, doubts about its future have intensified since the buyout.

Patrick Weekes Warns BioWare Could Be Shut Down

Amid growing uncertainty, Patrick Weekes — writer of the original Mass Effect trilogy and Dragon Age: Inquisition — voiced his concerns on Bluesky with a heavy dose of irony. He suggested that the new owners would focus on “guns and football” — meaning action and sports games — at the expense of deeper, more inclusive storytelling.

Weekes even shared a tongue-in-cheek example of what a conversation between EA and the Saudi fund might look like: the investors demanding that games avoid political or social themes while EA responds by shutting down BioWare. The fan community has reacted quickly and emotionally. On Reddit, one of the most popular threads is titled “It’s over, Commander”, capturing the growing sense of despair. As one user commented on Weekes’ post: “I knew BioWare’s future was uncertain, but I didn’t think it would look this bleak.”

The acquisition still needs to be finalized, but the decision is already made — and its full consequences will take time to unfold. One thing is certain: BioWare’s future now hangs by a thread under an EA that’s under immense pressure to maximize profits.

Source: GryOnline