Mark Darrah, a seasoned veteran from BioWare, has shared his thoughts on the recent $55 billion acquisition of EA and its implications for the future of the RPG studio. He hinted at the possibility that EA might consider selling off certain assets to address its debt obligations.

This acquisition, revealed earlier this week, involves a consortium of investors, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund along with investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. Out of the total $55 billion, $36 billion represents equity, while the remaining $20 billion is debt related to JPMorgan that EA must manage.

In a recent video on YouTube, Darrah, who is well-regarded for his work on the Dragon Age series, suggested that EA may look to offload some of its valuable intellectual properties and studios to alleviate financial pressures.

Darrah pointed out that EA is currently motivated to avoid risks, noting that selling an intellectual property that subsequently achieves success elsewhere would be a considerable gamble. He mentioned that maintaining the status quo may help the company avoid troubles, but the dynamics could change to favor immediate financial gain.

“EA possesses a vast array of dormant intellectual properties that remain untapped,” Darrah remarked. “It seems improbable that the new management will be keen to revive many of these franchises anytime soon.”

“One strategy could involve selling off the entire collection for a substantial sum, as this could significantly reduce debt. They might contemplate divesting some of their studios as well, whether that entails shutting them down or actively seeking buyers for entire studios or divisions,” he added.

He elaborated that it would be in the best interest of the new stakeholders to maintain EA Sports in a robust state while questioning the viability of EA Entertainment. This could lead to the latter being sold to another financially strong entity.

Darrah speculated that this transition has been in progress for some time and that EA’s new structure might have been designed to facilitate future asset sales. He observed that EA possesses many studios that have not launched a game for an extended period or have faced challenges, making them less appealing to the new management.

Despite EA’s previous strategy of retaining studios, Darrah emphasized that circumstances have drastically changed. “It’s highly unlikely that EA will remain exactly as it is within a private framework, especially while carrying a $20 billion debt,” he stated.

What does this development mean for BioWare specifically?

“For studios with a substantial track record, particularly if their approach diverges from the new ownership’s philosophies, questions will arise about their integration into the new business model,” Darrah explained.

“It’s difficult to envision BioWare shifting from its progressive messaging to align with the new ownership’s values. Such a move could lead to severe backlash against any games produced under those circumstances, potentially rendering the studio incompatible with the company’s objectives,” he continued.

While Darrah’s insights are speculative, they certainly raise concerns about the future of all EA studios. Given BioWare’s progressive history in RPG development, its future under a Saudi-owned enterprise remains especially precarious.

In a message to employees, EA CEO Andrew Wilson reiterated that the organization’s “values and our commitment to players and fans worldwide remain steadfast.”