BioWare staff “should be given the first opportunity and the federal support” to buy the studio and keep it running, says Canadian political party leader
Avi Lewis, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, has proposed that BioWare’s staff be given the first chance and federal support to buy and run the studio after its closure. The suggestion offers an alternative to the studio disappearing under corporate ownership, though the article questions whether a worker buyout would be viable in the long term.
Lewis said BioWare’s developers know how to operate the studio and make its games, and argued Canada should keep private equity out of the industry. The article links the closure to debt associated with its owners, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner, and notes that a new Mass Effect game is reportedly in development.
In short
- Avi Lewis wants BioWare staff to have a chance to buy the studio.
- He says federal support could help them run it.
- The proposal’s long-term viability remains uncertain.
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The case for
Giving BioWare staff the first opportunity and federal support to buy the studio could preserve skilled jobs, keep its creative expertise in Canada and give developers a say in the work they produce. Supporters may argue that workers who understand the studio are better placed than distant investors to sustain its games, and that public backing could protect a valuable cultural industry from decisions driven chiefly by debt or investor returns.
The case against
A worker buyout could leave staff responsible for substantial financing and business risks, even if they have strong knowledge of game development. Critics may argue that public support should not underwrite a venture whose long-term viability is uncertain, and that a studio’s success also depends on capital, publishing capacity and a reliable market for future games.