Thursday, 25 Jul 2024

EA Confirms BioWare’s Shadow Realms Canceled

Update: EA has made an official announcement confirming the cancellation of Shadow Realms. BioWare Austin’s General Manager, Jeff Hickman, shared the news on the game’s website, explaining the reasons behind the decision.

BioWare had initially received positive feedback from fans and testers, but they have decided to shift the team’s focus to other projects within the BioWare studios. The talented team at the Austin studio will be working on enhancing Dragon Age: Inquisition, developing the next Mass Effect game, and creating new intellectual properties. Additionally, they will be dedicating their efforts to expanding Star Wars: The Old Republic, especially in light of the significant events happening in the Star Wars universe this year.

For those who registered for the Shadow Realms Closed Alpha, BioWare is working on a way to show their gratitude. They also expressed their appreciation to players who provided feedback at Gamescom and PAX, and those who engaged in discussions about the game.

Original Story:

Multiple sources have confirmed that Shadow Realms, a project developed by BioWare Austin and published by Electronic Arts (EA), has been canceled. The game, which followed the popular 4v1 trend, was announced at Gamescom and garnered attention through an extensive live-action teaser campaign.

Shadow Realms aimed to deliver episodic content with a strong narrative focus, aligning with BioWare’s reputation for storytelling, particularly evident in their work on Star Wars: The Old Republic. The game’s mechanics revolved around heroes navigating a complex dungeon filled with traps set by the “shadow lord,” who could summon monsters to impede their progress.

This isn’t the first time EA has experimented and ultimately decided not to proceed with a project. In the past, they canceled their in-beta MOBA Dawngate. However, despite the cancellation of Shadow Realms, BioWare remains in a strong position with their other successful franchises, such as Star Wars: The Old Republic, the upcoming Mass Effect game, and the critically acclaimed Dragon Age: Inquisition.

While it is undoubtedly disappointing to see Shadow Realms abandoned, cancellations are not uncommon in the gaming industry. What makes this particular case noteworthy is the game’s highly publicized reveal after an elaborate teaser campaign. It wouldn’t be surprising if BioWare incorporates lessons learned from this project into future games.

EA’s approach of experimenting with projects and making realistic evaluations is encouraging. We hope that the talented individuals who were working on Shadow Realms find new opportunities within other EA teams.

FAQs

Q: Why was Shadow Realms canceled?
A: BioWare Austin decided to shift their focus to other projects within the BioWare studios, such as enhancing Dragon Age: Inquisition, developing the next Mass Effect game, and creating new intellectual properties. Additionally, they will be expanding Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Q: Will there be any compensation for those who registered for the Shadow Realms Closed Alpha?
A: BioWare is working on a way to express their gratitude to those who signed up for the Shadow Realms Closed Alpha. Details will be shared at a later date.

Conclusion

Although the cancellation of Shadow Realms is disappointing, it is not an uncommon occurrence in the gaming industry. BioWare’s decision to focus on other projects within the studio demonstrates their commitment to delivering quality experiences to their players. As fans of BioWare’s games, we can look forward to their future endeavors, including the next Mass Effect game, expansions to Star Wars: The Old Republic, and brand new intellectual properties.