By Jon Scarr
Federal NDP leader Avi Lewis wants government support to help BioWare developers buy and run the Edmonton studio. On October 21, Electronic Arts announced BioWare's closure and cancelled development of the next Mass Effect game.
BioWare had developed games in Edmonton since 1995, including Mass Effect and Dragon Age. It became one of Canada's best-known studios.
Lewis Calls for a BioWare Employee Buyout
In three Bluesky posts on October 21, Lewis criticized private equity ownership. He also called for federal support to help developers purchase BioWare.
"The developers at BioWare know how to run the studio," Lewis wrote. He argued that the employees should be given the first opportunity to purchase BioWare and continue operating it themselves.
The developers at BioWare know how to run the studio. They know how to make the games we all love. They should be given the first opportunity - and the federal support - to buy it and run it themselves.
— Avi Lewis (@avilewis.ca) 16:55 · Oct 21, 2026
In his first post, Lewis accused private equity investors of buying businesses and dismantling them for short-term profits. He closed the thread by arguing that Canada should be "keeping private equity out, not welcoming it in" to avoid what he called the "Mass Effect effect."
EA's US$55 billion acquisition closed on August 4, 2026. The buyers were Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.
Lewis hasn't outlined how much federal assistance would be needed or how an employee buyout could be arranged. EA also hasn't announced any plans to sell BioWare.
Former NDP MP Dan Harris Supports Government-Backed Buyouts
Former NDP MP Dan Harris also responded in an October 23 X post. He shared a PC Gamer article about Lewis's proposal.
Harris argued that governments should have programs to help workers buy businesses across industries, not just in gaming. He also suggested that employee ownership opportunities could become conditions attached to government financing.
Whether here or in other industries, there should be government backed programs to do just this. It could also be part of loan conditions when companies get government money.
— Dan Harris (@danharriscan) October 23, 2026
Coop run businesses survive downturns in the economy better than traditional private enterprise #cdnpoli https://t.co/sTXUlsgRY0
Harris represented Scarborough Southwest from 2011 to 2015 and served on Parliament's Special Committee on Co-operatives in 2012.
For former BioWare developers, that could mean starting a worker-owned studio with government financial assistance instead of relying entirely on outside investors.
However, Harris's proposal isn't an existing federal program, and no specific financing arrangement for BioWare has been announced. For context, we've previously examined how Canada supports video game development in 2026, which is separate from the employee-buyout proposal.
Edmonton MP Responds to BioWare's Closure
Liberal MP Eleanor Olszewski represents Edmonton Centre and is the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. She has also commented on BioWare's closure.
"BioWare has showcased Edmonton's creativity and talent on the world stage since 1995," Olszewski wrote on X.
BioWare has showcased Edmonton’s creativity and talent on the world stage since 1995.
— Eleanor Olszewski (Ol-SHEV-skee) 🇨🇦 (@EleanorO_MP) October 22, 2026
While games like Mass Effect or Dragon Age were meant more for my kids, I can appreciate the incredible talent and the heart that artists, programmers, and developers poured into their work.… https://t.co/3al02NEo7j
Olszewski called BioWare's closure disappointing. She said the federal government would work with partners to support Edmonton's game development talent and Canada's digital sector.
Her statement signals a commitment to supporting the region's developers, but she didn't address Lewis's proposed employee buyout. No specific financing for such a purchase has been announced.
Major Questions Remain About a BioWare Buyout
There are still major unanswered questions about what a BioWare employee buyout could involve. EA owns the studio and the rights to franchises including Mass Effect and Dragon Age. Buying the studio or forming a new company wouldn't automatically transfer those game rights.
No group of BioWare employees has publicly announced a buyout effort. EA hasn't said it would consider one. As we reported on October 21, EA is ending early Mass Effect development and closing BioWare's Edmonton workspace.
Lewis's proposal offers a possible path for former BioWare developers. A purchase would still require financing, EA's agreement and employees willing to take ownership.
4ScarrsGaming has contacted Avi Lewis, Dan Harris and Eleanor Olszewski for additional comments. We asked about the proposed buyout and potential federal support for affected BioWare developers. For now, no purchase agreement or federal commitment has been announced.
Jon Scarr
Enjoying our coverage? Add 4ScarrsGaming as a Preferred Source on Google.
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated. Please stay respectful and on topic.