BioWare on the Brink: The Departure of Corinne Busche and Rumors of Edmonton Closure Signal Trouble Ahead
The once legendary RPG studio known as BioWare has been THE cornerstone of the gaming industry for decades, but a long line of failures between Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem, and now Dragon Age: The Veilguard were troubling signs of a studio heading toward a catastrophic downfall. I have been passed along very credible information from an inside source that Corinne Busche, the 'man cosplaying as a woman' game director of the failed Dragon Age: The Veilguard, has officially left the company as of a few days ago, and that's just one wild piece of the puzzle... painting a grim picture for the studio's future.
Corinne Busche’s Exit: A Devastating Blow
In an email leaked directly to me that was sent out to BioWare employees, Busche recently announced his resignation, citing his decision to pursue a new challenge and project focused on his passion for making RPGs (below):
Hard to believe I'm writing these words, but here it goes: It's time for me to say goodbye. Today is my last day at BioWare and EA.
After so much contemplation, I've decided to pursue a new challenge and a new project, doing what I love most—making RPGs. It wasn't an easy decision, as I mean it when I say I love BioWare, the Dragon Age team, and what we've all accomplished together. My time with all of you has been the highlight of my career.
I want to offer my personal thanks to each of you. For your trust, your companionship, and for the many ways in which you've inspired me and helped me grow. I'll be eagerly waiting to see what great experiences you create next, and as a fan, I'll be rooting for you!
If I can leave you with any advice, it is this: We all know making games is hard. It's part of why we do it. But making games is also about the people and the reliance we have on one another. So take the time to celebrate the wins and lift each other up. The challenge and the work will always be there, but the moments we have with each other are precious and few.
Let's stay in touch!
Corinne
While his message tries it's darndest to sound optimistic, highlighting his love for BioWare and its teams, his jarring sudden departure comes across as someone who failed miserably at what they were doing, and ultimately abruptly being ushered out the door. Injecting trans scars and woke-ideologies have been rejected by gamers wholeheartedly from jump street, so I can't really say I'm surprised...
Corinne Busche announcing his departure is on top of Sylvia Feketekuty, a Senior Writer of 15 years at BioWare, announced her departure amidst the disastrous launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which has sold under 1.5 million copies against expectations of over 10 million. Feketekuty, known for her work on Mass Effect 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Anthem, took to BlueSky and cited a need for a break... but revealing no future plans, a detail that raises eyebrows as I covered previously. The Veilguard has faced some much-deserved harsh criticism for failing to meet even the most basic of player expectations, with its player base plummeting nearly 90% within two months of release, further fueling rumors of incoming layoffs and uncertainty about BioWare’s future... and here we are.
Rumors of Edmonton’s Closure
To confirm that the email originally sent to me regarding Busche's departure was legit, I contacted my insider, and sure enough, it's true... But it's not the only problem happening over at BioWare these days.
Not by a longshot...
A follow-up email from my source within EA adds serious fuel to this ongoing fire. According to the source, BioWare Edmonton—the studio’s flagship location—is now rumored to be on the chopping block next by EA. The studio opened this 3-story office just 5 years ago and it's already on the way out, by the looks of it. The closure is allegedly set to be announced around February 2025, just before Electronic Arts’ quarterly Town Hall meeting. The timing couldn’t be worse, as EA will now undoubtedly use this as an opportunity to discuss their fiscal performance and future plans. The closure of BioWare Edmonton would mark the end of an era and send shockwaves through the gaming community.
The Bigger Picture: A Studio in Crisis
This news comes amidst growing concerns about BioWare’s stability. The company has struggled mightily to recapture any of its former glory, with recent projects falling far short of expectations. Going to show that once again, it's not the studio that makes great games. It's the people. Untalented people make untalented games. It's a brutal industry and one definitely not for the weak of heart.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited Mass Effect sequel now remains shrouded in uncertainty while internal restructuring and a growing emphasis on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives have been rapidly destroying a once treasured studio in gaming. My source was expressing serious frustration over what they perceive as a shift away from the studio’s core creative mission initially to what it's become now.
What Does This Mean for Fans?
For fans of BioWare, this is a deeply concerning development. While sure, getting rid of the dead weight and DEI hires is a great start, the news of the entire studio shutting down is something that affects everyone, including the hard working employees that were forced into brain-rot decision making for the better part of the past decade or more. The potential closure of Edmonton, combined with leadership shake-ups and unconfirmed project timelines, casts a massive doubt on the future of beloved franchises like Dragon Age and Mass Effect. These once-iconic series have defined BioWare’s legacy, but without strong leadership and stable operations, ironically will define their ultimate downfall.
A Glimpse of the End?
Busche’s email to his colleagues encouraged them to "celebrate the wins and lift each other up," a message that seems bittersweet in hindsight. While his departure tries to play it off as a 'personal' career move, the broader context tells me what everyone is already thinking - She was pushed out and this feels now as if it's the first domino in a chain reaction leading to BioWare’s collapse.
Make no mistake - This the beginning of the end for one of gaming’s most storied studios. All thanks to Diversity, Equity.... and Inclusion.
~Smash
