Saving Mass Effect would take $200m+, says BioWare co-founder
The financial barrier to reviving the Mass Effect franchise appears to be massive. According to BioWare co-founder Trent Oster, developing a new entry that meets modern fan expectations could require a budget exceeding $200 million.
In a series of posts on X, Trent Oster addressed the scale of production required for a potential new Mass Effect title. He noted that the primary challenge lies in the high standards of the audience, who expect the pinnacle of AAA development. Based on current industry contemporaries, Oster estimated a rough ballpark figure of $200 million or more for such a project. This is a significant amount to commit upfront, leading Oster to suggest that a larger plan for the IP would be necessary to make the math work.
However, the co-founder suggested that this figure is not set in stone. He argued that a more disciplined approach paired with an experienced team could deliver a quality experience for less. According to Oster, a cheaper alternative would involve keeping the scope simple and focusing on the "big beats." He admitted that such a streamlined production would not match the scale described in the "Universe concept," but emphasized that the priority should be getting the IP free, noting that fans deserve more than just one game.
The #SaveMassEffect Campaign and Industry Context
Oster's comments come as the #SaveMassEffect campaign continues to grow following EA's decision to close BioWare and cancel Mass Effect 5. The petition, which calls for decisive action to ensure the continued development of the series, has exceeded 317,000 signatures. While the petition's creator, Joe Smith, is not necessarily asking EA to change its mind about BioWare itself, the movement seeks to ensure the franchise survives.
The closure of BioWare followed months after Saudi Arabia's $55 billion leveraged buyout of EA. While industry experts had anticipated such changes, the decision drew widespread condemnation. Reports have suggested that EA may have faced a choice between investing in a new Mass Effect game or a new Star Wars Battlefront project, ultimately choosing the latter. Meanwhile, EA has not confirmed whether it would consider selling the Mass Effect IP, and some Canadian fans have even called on their government to intervene to save the studio.
Флешка
