Editing BioWare (section)

===2010s: Muzyka and Zeschuk's departure, ''Mass Effect'' on hiatus, ''Anthem''===
In January 2010, BioWare released the sequel to [[Mass Effect]], ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'', which would go on to receive critical acclaim and many awards. The company announced that it would be opening up a new customer service office in [[Galway]], Ireland, in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://insideireland.ie/2010/05/26/archive3648-3708/ |title=Electronic Arts to create 200 jobs in Galway |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313033605/http://insideireland.ie/2010/05/26/archive3648-3708/ |archive-date=13 March 2012}}</ref> BioWare completed three major games between 2011 and 2012. The [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] (MMORPG) ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'' is based on BioWare's previous contribution to the [[Star Wars]] franchise,<ref>{{cite web |last=Glasser |first=AJ |title=Star Wars: The Old Republic – What We Know So Far |url=http://kotaku.com/5066929/star-wars-the-old-republic--what-we-know-so-far |publisher=Kotaku |date=22 October 2008 |access-date=14 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710014602/http://kotaku.com/5066929/star-wars-the-old-republic--what-we-know-so-far |archive-date=10 July 2009}}</ref> and was announced on 21 October 2008, although BioWare had first mentioned an unspecified new collaboration with [[LucasArts]] in October the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lucasarts.com/company/release/news20071030.html |title=LucasArts and BioWare Corp. to Create Ground-Breaking Interactive Entertainment Product |publisher=LucasArts.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222133545/http://www.lucasarts.com/company/release/news20071030.html |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> The other games were ''[[Dragon Age II]]'', the sequel to ''Dragon Age: Origins'', and ''[[Mass Effect 3]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.actiontrip.com/previews/360/masseffect_i_2.phtml |title=ActionTrip Mass Effect Interview |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318044143/http://www.actiontrip.com/previews/360/masseffect_i_2.phtml |archive-date=18 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ray-muzyka-biowares-illusive-man-live-q-and-a |title=BioWare's Illusive Man Live QA |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=28 January 2010 |publisher=Eurogamer.net |access-date=2 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131100321/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ray-muzyka-biowares-illusive-man-live-q-and-a |archive-date=31 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/bioware-says-dragon-age-2-to-look-super-hot/ |title=BioWare says Dragon Age 2 to look 'super hot' |last=Ransom-Wiley |first=James |publisher=Joystiq |date=29 January 2010 |access-date=7 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128160239/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/bioware-says-dragon-age-2-to-look-super-hot/ |archive-date=28 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/bioware-on-rpg-success-old-republic-natal-and-more/2 |title=BioWare on RPG Success, Old Republic, Natal and More |last=Brightman |first=James |publisher=industrygamers.com |date=4 June 2010 |access-date=11 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713030058/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/bioware-on-rpg-success-old-republic-natal-and-more/2 |archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref>

Following the release of ''Mass Effect 3'' in March 2012, numerous players complained about its endings failing to fulfill the developer's earlier promises regarding the conclusion of the trilogy. In response to [[Mass Effect 3 ending controversy|the controversy surrounding the game's ending sequence]], BioWare announced on 5 April that they would reschedule their post-release content production and release an "Extended Cut" DLC that would expand the original endings and address the most common points of critique.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/05/mass-effect-3-extended-cut/ |title=Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut |publisher=BioWare |date=5 April 2012 |access-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20120406112918/http://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/05/mass-effect-3-extended-cut/ |archive-date=6 April 2012}}</ref> The Extended Cut was released as a free download on 26 June 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.bioware.com/2012/06/22/mass-effect-3-extended-cut-2/ |title=Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut |publisher=BioWare |date=22 June 2012 |access-date=23 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20120625091903/http://blog.bioware.com/2012/06/22/mass-effect-3-extended-cut-2/ |archive-date=25 June 2012}}</ref> On 18 September 2012, the next day after the official announcement of the [[Dragon Age: Inquisition|third ''Dragon Age'' title]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/17/dragon-age-3-inquisition-announced |title=Dragon Age 3: Inquisition Announced |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=17 September 2012 |website=IGN |access-date=17 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919195325/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/17/dragon-age-3-inquisition-announced |archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref> both [[Ray Muzyka]] and [[Greg Zeschuk]], two of the remaining co-founders of BioWare, simultaneously announced they would be retiring from the gaming industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.bioware.com/2012/09/18/from-ray-muzyka/ |title=From Ray Muzyka |last=Muzyka |first=Ray |date=18 September 2012 |publisher=BioWare Blog |access-date=20 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321052304/http://blog.bioware.com/2012/09/18/from-ray-muzyka/ |archive-date=21 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.bioware.com/2012/09/18/from-greg-zeschuk/ |title=From Greg Zeschuk |last=Zeschuk |first=Greg |date=18 September 2012 |publisher=BioWare Blog |access-date=20 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321052302/http://blog.bioware.com/2012/09/18/from-greg-zeschuk/ |archive-date=21 March 2015}}</ref> After almost a year without a formal head, EA appointed Matthew Bromberg the group general manager of the BioWare label on 9 September 2013. Former CEO and president of [[Major League Gaming]], Bromberg worked as the general manager of BioWare Austin since 2012; after his promotion, [[Jeff Hickman]] took over as the general manager in Austin. Aaryn Flynn remained in charge of BioWare Canada (Edmonton and Montreal) and [[Jon Van Caneghem]], the head of [[Victory Games (EA)|Victory Games]] and Waystone Studio (also parts of the BioWare label).<ref name="New chief">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/09/09/ea-names-new-chief-of-bioware-label-exclusive/ |title=EA names new chief of BioWare label (exclusive) |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=9 September 2013 |work=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=10 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910035454/http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/09/ea-names-new-chief-of-bioware-label-exclusive/ |archive-date=10 September 2013}}</ref>

After acquiring and dismantling [[LucasArts]], [[The Walt Disney Company]] announced in May 2013 that Electronic Arts will produce future ''[[Star Wars]]'' games, "in addition to the BioWare team, which is already developing for the Star Wars franchise."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ea.com/news/ea-and-disney-team-up-on-new-star-wars-games |title=EA and Disney Team Up on New Star Wars Games |last=Gibeau |first=Frank |date=6 May 2013 |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] |access-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421173102/http://www.ea.com/news/ea-and-disney-team-up-on-new-star-wars-games |archive-date=21 April 2014}}</ref> In November 2013, teaser images from the next instalment of the ''Mass Effect'' series were released.<ref name="Mass Effect 4 teaser" /> At [[E3 2014]], BioWare Edmonton announced working on a new (unnamed) original intellectual property in addition to continuing their established series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/09/e3-2014-mass-effect-developer-bioware-teases-new-ip |title=E3 2014: Mass Effect Developer BioWare Teases New IP |last=Dyer |first=Mitch |date=9 June 2014 |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=10 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612013108/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/09/e3-2014-mass-effect-developer-bioware-teases-new-ip |archive-date=12 June 2014}}</ref> Another new IP, titled ''[[Shadow Realms]]'' is an episodic 4 vs. 1 story-driven online action role-playing game, and was announced on [[Gamescom 2014]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65EIZwhXWSs |title=Shadow Realms First Gameplay – IGN Live: Gamescom 2014 |website=IGN |date=15 August 2015 |access-date=21 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124121615/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65EIZwhXWSs |archive-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> On 9 February 2015, BioWare Austin announced that development on ''Shadow Realms'' would not continue.<ref>{{cite web |title=An Important Update on Shadow Realms |url=https://www.shadowrealms.com/blog/an-important-update-on-shadow-realms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150210082441/https://www.shadowrealms.com/blog/an-important-update-on-shadow-realms |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 February 2015 |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BioWare's Multiplayer PC Game Shadow Realms Canceled |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioware-s-multiplayer-pc-game-shadow-realms-cancel/1100-6425195/ |access-date=10 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211080147/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioware-s-multiplayer-pc-game-shadow-realms-cancel/1100-6425195/ |archive-date=11 February 2015|date=9 February 2015 }}</ref>

[[Casey Hudson]], the creator of the ''[[Mass Effect]]'' series, left BioWare in May 2014, while [[Drew Karpyshyn]], writer of ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'' and the first two ''Mass Effect'' games, returned in 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/mass-effect-lead-writer-drew-karpyshyn-returns-to-bioware/ |title=Mass Effect lead writer Drew Karpyshyn returns to BioWare |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=21 September 2015 |access-date=22 September 2015 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161420/http://www.pcgamer.com/mass-effect-lead-writer-drew-karpyshyn-returns-to-bioware/ |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> ''[[Dragon Age]]''{{'}}s writer [[David Gaider]] left BioWare in January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-02-09-veteran-bioware-writer-david-gaider-seems-to-have-a-new-job |title=Veteran BioWare writer David Gaider seems to have a new job |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |first=Robert |last=Purchese |date=9 February 2016 |access-date=10 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210092820/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-02-09-veteran-bioware-writer-david-gaider-seems-to-have-a-new-job |archive-date=10 February 2016}}</ref> Chris Wynn and Chris Schlerf, both of whom had an important role in the development of ''[[Mass Effect: Andromeda]]'', left in December 2015 and February 2016 respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2016/02/15/mass-effect-andromeda-lead-writer-leaves-bioware-to-join-bungie.aspx |title=Mass Effect: Andromeda Lead Writer Leaves BioWare To Join Bungie |first=Brian |last=Shea |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=15 February 2016 |access-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218084526/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2016/02/15/mass-effect-andromeda-lead-writer-leaves-bioware-to-join-bungie.aspx |archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> [[Alexis Kennedy]], co-founder of [[Failbetter Games]] and the creative director of ''[[Dragon Age]]: The Last Court'', joined BioWare as its "first ever guest writer" in September 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/12/bioware-failbetter-writer/ |title=Failbetter Founder Alexis Kennedy Writing For BioWare |last=Smith |first=Adam |date=12 September 2016 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |access-date=16 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913145652/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/12/bioware-failbetter-writer/ |archive-date=13 September 2016}}</ref>

On 13 September 2016, EA announced the formation of EA Worldwide Studios, which would consist of BioWare Studios, [[EA Mobile]], and [[Maxis]], and led by [[EA DICE|DICE]] co-founder [[Patrick Söderlund|Patrick Soderlund]]. At the same time, Samantha Ryan, head of EA Mobile and Maxis, was appointed the new head of BioWare Studios.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/bioware-maxis-ea-mobile-more-brought-together-form-ea-worldwide-studios-1581337 |title=EA Worldwide Studios: BioWare. EA Mobile and Maxis merged |last=Mascarenhas |first=Hyacinth |date=15 September 2016 |work=[[International Business Times]] |access-date=16 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916053122/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/bioware-maxis-ea-mobile-more-brought-together-form-ea-worldwide-studios-1581337 |archive-date=16 September 2016}}</ref> Released in March 2017, ''Andromeda'' was at the center of controversy of equal proportions, if not higher than that around the third chapter; starting with heavy criticisms that were addressed before the video game was released<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/bioware-mass-effect-andromeda-criticism,34025.html |title=Bioware Acknowledges 'Mass Effect: Andromeda' Criticism |date=30 March 2017 |website=tomshardware.com |access-date=11 May 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501053803/http://www.tomshardware.com/news/bioware-mass-effect-andromeda-criticism,34025.html |url-status=live }}</ref> to the lukewarm response received by the specialized press and the fandom<ref>{{cite web |title=Mass Effect Andromeda Review Roundup: Most Polarizing Game of the Year |date=20 March 2017 |access-date=11 May 2017 |url=http://www.tomsguide.com/us/mass-effect-andromeda-review-roundup,news-24695.html |website=tomsguide.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509073028/http://www.tomsguide.com/us/mass-effect-andromeda-review-roundup,news-24695.html |archive-date=9 May 2017}}</ref> with sales lower than the previous ''Mass Effect'' games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-27-mass-effect-andromeda-physical-launch-sales-down-on-me3 |title=Mass Effect Andromeda physical launch sales down on ME3 |date=27 March 2017 |website=eurogamer.net |access-date=11 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510033103/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-27-mass-effect-andromeda-physical-launch-sales-down-on-me3 |archive-date=10 May 2017}}</ref> Given the circumstances [[Electronic Arts]] had reportedly frozen the entire ''[[Mass Effect]]'' series, downgrading the BioWare Montréal branch from a leading development team to a support team,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/sources-bioware-montreal-downsized-mass-effect-put-on-1795100285 |website=Kotaku.com |date=10 May 2017 |access-date=11 May 2017 |title=Sources: BioWare Montreal Scaled Down, Mass Effect Put On Ice For Now |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510195120/http://kotaku.com/sources-bioware-montreal-downsized-mass-effect-put-on-1795100285 |archive-date=10 May 2017}}</ref> and later merging it into [[Motive Studios]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/bioware-montreal-is-being-merged-into-ea-motive/ |title=BioWare Montreal is being merged into EA Motive |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2 August 2017 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=2 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801234043/http://www.pcgamer.com/bioware-montreal-is-being-merged-into-ea-motive/ |archive-date=1 August 2017}}</ref>

During EA's ''EA Play'' pre-E3 press conference on 10 June 2017, BioWare revealed ''[[Anthem (video game)|Anthem]]'', a new [[action role-playing game]],<ref>{{cite web |title=E3 2017: BioWare Reveals New Project, Anthem |url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/06/10/e3-2017-bioware-reveals-new-project-anthem |website=IGN |access-date=12 June 2017 |date=10 June 2017 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319193725/https://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/06/10/e3-2017-bioware-reveals-new-project-anthem |url-status=live }}</ref> with BioWare's story writer, [[Drew Karpyshyn]], who previously worked on ''[[Mass Effect (video game)|Mass Effect]]'' and ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'', contributing to the new game.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/mass-effect-1-2-and-kotor-writer-is-working-on-anthem-biowares-new-ip |title=Mass Effect 1, 2 and KOTOR writer is working on Anthem, Bioware's new IP |work=Neowin|access-date=14 June 2017 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614214752/https://www.neowin.net/news/mass-effect-1-2-and-kotor-writer-is-working-on-anthem-biowares-new-ip |archive-date=14 June 2017}}</ref> In July 2017, Aaryn Flynn, general manager of BioWare, announced that he would depart from the company. Hudson returned to BioWare as its new general manager.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/07/18/biowares-aaryn-flynn-leaves-company-casey-hudson-returns.aspx |title=BioWare's Aaryn Flynn Leaves Company, Casey Hudson Returns |first=Joe |last=Juba |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=18 July 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805060014/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/07/18/biowares-aaryn-flynn-leaves-company-casey-hudson-returns.aspx |archive-date=5 August 2017}}</ref> Lead story developer for ''Jade Empire'' and ''Dragon Age'' creative director [[Mike Laidlaw]] announced his departure from BioWare in October 2017 after 14 years with the company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dragon Age creative director leaves BioWare |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/12/16467044/dragon-age-creative-director-writer-mike-laidlaw-leaves-bioware |work=[[Polygon (magazine)|Polygon]] |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=12 October 2017 |access-date=23 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019232612/https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/12/16467044/dragon-age-creative-director-writer-mike-laidlaw-leaves-bioware |archive-date=19 October 2017}}</ref> [[James Ohlen]], the lead designer of the ''Baldur's Gate'' series, ''Neverwinter Nights'', ''Knights of the Old Republic'', ''Jade Empire'', and ''Dragon Age: Origins'', as well as the game director of ''The Old Republic'' MMO, left the studio after 22 years in July 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/07/13/bioware-departure-veteran-james-ohlen-leaves/ |title=Another BioWare Departure as Veteran Designer James Ohlen Leaves |last=Pavlovic |first=Uros |date=13 July 2018 |work=PlayStationLifeStyle.net |access-date=27 July 2018 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727145819/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/07/13/bioware-departure-veteran-james-ohlen-leaves/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 24 September 2019, it was announced that BioWare had moved from their old location on Calgary Trail into 3 stories of the [[Epcor Tower]] in downtown Edmonton.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/business/commercial-real-estate/bioware-moves-to-new-downtown-location|title=New home: BioWare relocates to 75,000-square-foot downtown Edmonton location|last=Labine|first=Jeff|date=24 September 2019|newspaper=Edmonton Journal|language=en|access-date=24 September 2019|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924155712/https://edmontonjournal.com/business/commercial-real-estate/bioware-moves-to-new-downtown-location|url-status=live}}</ref>