BioWare co-founder Trent Oster explores reacquiring Mass Effect and Dragon Age IP from EA

Published 5 Nov 2026 · Games Atlas Editorial · Stated Intent & Exploration · Companies: BioWare, Electronic Arts

Games Atlas summary: EA closed BioWare last month and cancelled the next Mass Effect game. Co-founder Trent Oster is now modelling a bid to revive BioWare's IP. Former creative director James Ohlen has publicly agreed to join him. "One without the other is just making EA money" - Trent Oster, BioWare co-founder

The budget sets the bar for any buyer

• Oster pegs a fan-grade AAA Mass Effect at $200M+, based on contemporaries.
• He calls that a big number to commit up front.
• He argues a bigger IP plan is needed to make the math work.
• He also says a disciplined, experienced team could deliver for less.
• He says he has run more than 30 revisions of his Excel scenarios.

Talent without rights produces no asset

• Oster names IP rights as the precondition for any team reunion.
• Without them, former BioWare talent would only generate value for EA.
• "A chance to work on Dragon Age again is a dream of mine." - James Ohlen, former BioWare creative director
• Ohlen led design on Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, KOTOR and Dragon Age: Origins.

Public capital and precedent meet a reluctant seller

• Canadian MP Don Davies sponsors petition e-7898 for federal buyout capital.
• The petition passed 6,600 signatures within roughly a week.
• A separate Change.org petition has passed 300,000 signatures.
• Larian's Baldur's Gate 3 and Playground's Fable show licensed legacy IP can return successfully.
• GamesRadar notes EA has historically held dormant IP rather than selling it.

Sources

• BioWare co-founder and Star Wars KOTOR director say they’re interested in reuniting to try and save BioWare’s IP | VGC (videogameschronicle.com)
• BioWare Co-Founder Explores Bringing Back Mass Effect & Dragon Age (80.lv)
• Saving Mass Effect 5 would cost over $200 million, BioWare co-founder says, because fans will want "the best of… (gamesradar.com)