Why Did Electronic Arts Buy BioWare?

GigaOM has an editorial up taking a look at the possible motives behind EA’s acquisition of BioWare/Pandemic. Noting that while it makes sense on the surface, BioWare being a respected developer, it doesn’t make sense because BioWare’s games are small potatoes from EA’s perspective.

So why did they spend so much? The acquisition includes several titles for the Wii and DS already in development, and those may have breakout potential. There’s tremendous gamer buzz around BioWare’s upcoming RPG Mass Effect, but in all likelihood, it’ll do similar numbers to the studio’s million-plus-selling Knights of the Old Republic a hit, but not a huge one. There are rumors that BioWare is developing a (Star Wars)-themed MMO, but if that’s what inspired the purchase, the mystery only deepens: Sony Online’s (SNE) MMO Star Wars Galaxies was a disappointment in relation to cost and anticipation, and that was released at the height of the buzz over a movie franchise that’s since become old news.

Maybe there are several stealth blockbusters that will eventually justify EA’s purchase. But at the moment, it just appears to be the costliest example of the industry’s self-destructive fixation on being Hollywood for Lost Boys.

Spotted on Slashdot.