BioWare Co-Founder Says New Mass Effect Could Cost More Than $200 Million

BioWare co-founder Trent Oster estimates that a new Mass Effect game built to modern AAA expectations could require a development budget of more than $200 million. The figure is Oster’s rough estimate based on comparable projects, not an official Electronic Arts budget or a confirmed cost for an announced game.

In comments reported by GamesRadar, Oster said the series’ audience would expect a top-tier AAA production. He argued that committing such a large amount up front would require a broader business plan for the franchise to make financial sense.

Oster also stressed that $200 million is not necessarily the minimum price of a strong Mass Effect game. In his view, an experienced team with a disciplined production approach could deliver a high-quality result for less.

The remarks come as the #SaveMassEffect campaign continues to press EA either to fund the franchise’s future or sell or license it so another developer can continue the series. Our previous coverage followed the campaign past 200,000 signatures; the petition has since exceeded 300,000.

Oster has publicly backed the campaign and expressed interest in potentially reuniting members of the original development team. That enthusiasm still does not amount to a new project announcement, and EA has not confirmed a $200 million-plus plan for Mass Effect.

Would you prefer a blockbuster-scale Mass Effect revival or a smaller, more focused sequel?