BioWare Co-Founder: Saving Mass Effect Could Cost Over $200M

BioWare co-founder Trent Oster has thrown cold water on hopes for a quick Mass Effect revival, stating on Twitter/X that any studio serious about continuing the franchise should budget north of $200 million to deliver the kind of game fans are expecting.

The Price of a Comeback

Oster made his remarks in a series of posts on social media, as reported by Eurogamer. “The scary component of Mass Effect is the audience is going to want the best of AAA development,” he wrote. “Rough ballpark (based on contemporaries) is $200M+. That is a big number to commit up front. There has to be a bigger plan in place for the IP to make the math work.”

He did leave room for a leaner approach, however. “I think it can be done well for less than that amount with a disciplined approach and an experienced team,” Oster added in a follow-up post. He also noted that keeping the scope tight could bring costs down further, but cautioned that a stripped-back project would not align with the broader vision fans and former developers have discussed for the series.

The #SaveMassEffect Movement

Oster’s comments land in the middle of a growing fan campaign triggered by EA’s decision to shut down BioWare and cancel Mass Effect 5. The Eurogamer report notes the associated petition has surpassed 317,000 signatures after crossing 185,000 in just the first few days. The petition, launched by a fan identified as Joe Smith, calls on EA to commit to continued Mass Effect development rather than demanding the studio be kept open outright.

Oster has voiced support for the campaign. “I love seeing all the energy around #SaveMassEffect,” he wrote on November 4, 2026. “Makes me want to get some of the original band back together.” EA has not publicly stated whether it would consider selling the Mass Effect IP to another developer.

Background: Why BioWare Closed

The closure of BioWare came just months after a $55 billion leveraged buyout of EA by Saudi Arabia, a deal that industry analysts had flagged as a potential turning point for the publisher’s studio roster. According to Eurogamer, a subsequent report claims EA was forced to choose between funding a new Mass Effect game or a new Star Wars Battlefront title, and selected the latter. The decision drew sharp criticism from developers and fans alike across the industry.

The campaign has also reached Canada’s political stage. Canadian fans escalated their concerns to a government level after New Democratic Party leader Avi Lewis called on Ottawa to explore options for preserving the Edmonton-based studio.

Sources: Eurogamer