Former Electronic Arts senior manager and current Newzoo analyst Emmanuel Rosier was interviewed computer gamer Comments on the fate of the Mass Effect role-playing series following the company’s privatization.
Image source: Steam (The Logman)
EA was able to exit the stock exchange thanks to a $55 billion deal with a consortium of investors including investment firms Silver Lake (5.5%) and Affinity Partners (1.1%), as well as the Saudi Arabian sovereign fund (93.4%).
The deal means EA’s stock will no longer be listed on the public market, and the company itself will take on $18 billion in debt. Management has planned to cut annual operating expenses by $700 million.
2020 trailer screenshot (Image source: BioWare)
Rosier said BioWare could face threats: «[Новые владельцы] Support can be withdrawn very, very easily. If new investors don’t care about the history of their portfolio, they will likely make the most financially sound decision. “.
Rozier doubts that Electronic Arts’ new owners will continue to provide funding for BioWare. “I’ll believe it when I see it, the next Mass Effect, let’s put it that way”“, the former manager said when asked about the fate of new games in the series.
EA Sports FC fans need not worry about the series (Image credit: Steam)
One thing the company will definitely not give up after being controlled by Saudi Arabia is football and e-sports because of their popularity among Saudis. Rozier also allows old franchises like Ultima to be sold or licensed.
The new Mass Effect was confirmed in December 2020, but was still in pre-production as of early February 2025. In six years, the project has only received a few trailers – BioWare hasn’t had time to reveal more.
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