A former EA executive believes the company’s new owners could easily cut off funding for Mass Effect 5. The Saudi-backed takeover and the enormous debt attached to the deal may leave BioWare’s future especially vulnerable.

Electronic Arts is now controlled by a group that includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. With roughly $20 billion in debt connected to the transaction, employees are already bracing for cost reductions and a more severe financial approach across the company.

Reliable revenue generators may become the priority

Emmanuel Rosier, Newzoo’s director of market intelligence and a former EA executive, expects European football games to remain central to the business. Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in the sport and its hosting of the 2034 World Cup could make EA Sports FC particularly valuable to the new owners.

Rosier also anticipates more investment in esports across the Middle East and Persian Gulf. Long-dormant properties such as Ultima or Wing Commander might be licensed to outside studios, however, with smaller or mobile projects replacing the expensive prospect of a full AAA revival.

BioWare is the biggest uncertainty

The analyst argues that BioWare has struggled in recent years, making it easy for investors without an emotional attachment to question further funding. Rosier said he will believe the next Mass Effect when he sees it, noting that development can drag on for years and that the financial tap could be turned off very quickly.

BioWare is still working on Mass Effect 5, and the project is believed to have moved beyond its earliest pre-production phase. The priorities of EA’s new owners will nevertheless determine whether the studio receives enough time and money to finish the long-awaited science-fiction RPG.

Source: 3DJuegos