It seems all but certain: EA has announced the closure of its studio BioWare and canceled its ongoing project, the new entry in the Mass Effect series, Mass Effect 5: Cosmos. In truth, BioWare's fate was sealed long ago, and EA's recent acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) only added fuel to the fire.
There is much to be said (and should be said) about BioWare's ability to craft complete original worlds like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. But to write an epitaph for this developer, we must also acknowledge their outstanding contribution as stewards of one of the world's most popular franchises. BioWare truly understood the essence of Star Wars, and it was this understanding that helped create one of the greatest Star Wars games of all time.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was one of the first games to truly understand Star Wars, and it remains one of the best to this day.
I hardly need to elaborate; I am referring to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Developed by BioWare, this game was a breakthrough success, renowned for its rich role-playing mechanics and plot twists that were astonishing for their time. Without it, we might never have seen modern classics like The Witcher 3, let alone BioWare's own Mass Effect and Dragon Age series.
The creators of Knights of the Old Republic were visionary in setting their story in a brand-new era of the Star Wars universe, thousands of years before the events of the original films, thereby distinguishing it from the main storyline that many modern Star Wars stories (both in and outside of games) rely on. The Old Republic setting was a bold and innovative direction, allowing fans to glimpse the Jedi Order at its peak decades before Disney introduced the "High Republic" era. In fact, its world-building was so rich and cohesive that even though Knights of the Old Republic itself has been excluded from the official Star Wars canon, many of its elements have been borrowed and integrated into modern Star Wars lore. Deadly HK droids, the desolate planet of Malachor, the broad outlines of the Mandalorian Wars, and even the existence of Darth Revan have all been incorporated into modern Star Wars canon in recent years.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) understood the fantasy of being a hero in the Star Wars universe more profoundly than most games of its time or since. It drew elements from tabletop role-playing games, meaning you could specialize in playing a lucky scoundrel or a savvy hacker, wielding blasters and lightsabers with equal ease. Once you embarked on the Jedi path, the game offered a wide variety of abilities to try, partly depending on your inclination toward the light or dark side of the Force. Your alignment, in turn, was influenced by the choices you made. Your companion characters were also integrated into this world, complementing and conflicting with each other as they brought different philosophies and priorities to your mission. All these seemingly disparate systems blended perfectly to create a game that truly made you feel like you were part of the Star Wars world.
Perhaps most impressively, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic cleverly utilized one of the most memorable elements of the Star Wars saga—the plot twist at the end of The Empire Strikes Back—and gave it a fresh interpretation. Identity and its connection to destiny are central to the Star Wars mythos. Luke Skywalker's struggle to accept Darth Vader as his father and confront the darkness within himself is key to the significance of the original trilogy. BioWare found a way to explore similar issues, amplified by the interactive nature of video games. They skillfully merged this moment with the medium of gaming.
Since then, many other RPG developers have iterated upon Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). The most direct example is the sequel produced by Obsidian Entertainment; due to a rushed development cycle, the quality of this sequel suffered somewhat. However, thanks to the continuous efforts of fans through various mods and patches, the sequel has gradually been restored to a state close to its original vision. Today, it stands as a highly acclaimed story within the Star Wars universe, offering unique insights into the nature of the Force and its relationship with its users. Other developers have undoubtedly drawn inspiration from KOTOR's fusion of tabletop RPG (TTRPG) and traditional computer RPG (CRPG) mechanics. All of this is thanks to the solid foundation laid by BioWare. When Star Wars: The Fate of the Old Republic is released, it will inevitably be compared to KOTOR.
Studios are made of people, not brands. The talented developers who created Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic have long since gone their separate ways, with some even leaving before BioWare's closure. Nevertheless, the name still holds significant meaning. For those of us who once dreamed of experiencing heroic adventures in a galaxy far, far away, BioWare will always be synonymous with Star Wars.