At which point did Bioware run out of money?

[Arbiter]

The decision to sell the company to EA was likely driven by financial situation. At which point did Bioware run out of money? All their games with the exception of Jade Empire were successful, IIRC. Was it mismanagement? Or did the doctors simply want to cash out?

 

[Infinitron]

They didn't run out of money. The Biodocs were pretty clearly looking to expand operations (eg, founding an entire new studio in Austin to develop The Old Republic MMO) and they needed more capital for that. Two years before being acquired by EA they'd already sold out to a private equity firm called Elevation Partners.

 

[Wunderbar]

 

[anvi]

EA got them all in the end.

 

[Camel]

I think I've read that the doctors sold Bioware to EA for financial security and for being a cog in a well-oiled machine. Little did they know about being forced to lend their Frostbite engine programmers to FIFA(EA's main cash cow which brings them billions of dollars) developers which caused huge problems when developing ME: Andromeda or being forced to develop DA2 in 1,5 years when DA:O took 5 years.

Gamasutra sat down with BioWare to get their take on the acquisition by EA. In the interview, president and co-executive producer Greg Zeschuk and chairman, CEO and co-executive producer Ray Muzyka discuss the deal from their perspective, detailing what the studio will gain, and what the change means for maintaining the freedom to continue developing in their idiosyncratic style. When we talked to Pandemic, they used the word "driving," saying they "drove" the acquisition. How does BioWare feel, from your perspective? Ray Muzyka: I think we're really excited about the addition of John Riccitiello. We've known him for a couple years now, and we've worked with him really closely, and we're excited to work with him again. To work for him, actually, again. Also, the other folks, the people on his team, guys like Frank Gibeau, they share the same values that we have. I think this is really a collaborative kind of partnership where we're really striving to pursue excellence, innovation, creativity, and quality in our products. Quality in our workplace. Trying to make the best place in the world for a team, and entrepreneurship. Really, trying to think of new ways to innovate and trying to reach new kinds of fans, drive the excellence that BioWare's known for to even more people. I think the great publishing and marketing support, with the great development and marketing resources we already have at BioWare.

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/q-a-bioware-on-the-ea-acquisition

 

[Arbiter]

... detailing what the studio will gain, and what the change means for maintaining the freedom to continue developing in their idiosyncratic style.

That did not age well.

 

[Arbiter]

If DA4 fails, will EA demote Bioware to a DLC studio status?

 

[Aemar]

If DA4 fails, will EA demote Bioware to a DLC studio status?

Beamdog status.

 

[anvi]

I doubt there's anyone from Bioware still working there. And if there is anyone, they would have been made tranquil.

 

[Arbiter]

If DA4 fails, will EA demote Bioware to a DLC studio status?

Beamdog status.

What is there left to remaster? Shattered Steel?

 

[rusty_shackleford]

if DA4 fails bioware gets demoted to SWTOR studios

 

[koyota]

Or that short period in 2009 - 2011 when EA was just re-naming every B studio they had to be a Bioware Studio.

• BioWare Montreal
• BioWare San Francisco
• Bioware Mythic
• BioWare Victor
• BioWare WayStone
• BioWare Sacramento