„It’s over, Commander.” Mass Effect fans are already saying goodbye to the series after EA’s takeover, and a former BioWare screenwriter shares his concerns

The biggest news in gaming right now is the announcement that someone is buying Electronic Arts. It’s a major development that everyone is talking about.

The company will no longer be publicly traded, which typically allows for greater operational flexibility. However, this situation is expected to be unique. The takeover will be led by the TWSJ consortium, a group comprised of Silver Lake, the Saudi investment fund Public Investment Fund, and Affinity Partners – an investment firm owned by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. This ownership structure suggests a potentially different approach to the company’s operations. It’s a noteworthy combination of investors, and the implications are still unfolding.

  1. Concerns among players and developers are raised by these last two entities, which, to put it mildly, are difficult to accuse of having progressive views. This could mean a change in the creative freedom of studios owned by EA.
  2. Such concerns are expressed by Patrick Weekes, who was a writer at BioWare from 2005 to 2025 (he was laid off earlier this year as part of mass cuts at the studio). He posted the following words on Bluesky:

Buyers: So your games… guns and football, yes?

EA: Mmhmm, mmhmm, mostly guns and football, yep.

Buyers: No gay stuff? No politics we’re not going to like?

EA: Haha, absolutely not! Hey, can I take a moment? I just need to quickly close down a studio.

Players are also expressing similar worries to Weekes. Currently, a post is gaining a lot of attention on the Mass Effect subreddit, with one user sharing the news of EA’s acquisition and commenting, “It’s the end, Commander.”

Following the disappointing launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the future of BioWare remained uncertain, and Mass Effect 5 appeared to be the studio’s final chance at success. However, considering the impending acquisition, even a successful ME5 might not guarantee independence. At most, a strong performance could simply make the development team a more appealing purchase for another company.

These worries are likely common among workers at EA, as CEO Andrew Wilson sent a letter to employees promising that “the company’s values will not change” following the acquisition. However, it’s difficult to take his statement at face value.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-40335

Concerns of The Sims Fans

People who enjoy playing The Sims are also feeling uneasy. Well-known creators within the game’s community have shared their worries about this takeover. For instance:

Dey:

We genuinely live in the worst timeline.

RiRi:

I’m really worried about how this will affect me and other Sims creators. My thoughts are also with the Sims team, as I can’t imagine how difficult this must be, particularly during a new pack launch week. It must be incredibly challenging for them right now, and I feel for everyone involved. This is a tough situation for all of us.

I hope everyone shows understanding and patience with each other as we all learn and determine the long-term implications of this.

Even players who play often are concerned. Many are hoping that ultimately, making a profit will be the priority, and the new owners won’t interfere with the The Sims development team, as the game continues to be financially successful.

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2025-09-30 15:03