Beamdog's Trent Oster Weighs Financing to Revive Mass Effect
The BioWare co-founder also asked former designer James Ohlen to join a reunion, and Ohlen said working on Dragon Age again is a dream of his.
Trent Oster, BioWare co-founder and CEO of Beamdog, said he is evaluating financing for an effort to save Mass Effect and has asked former BioWare designer James Ohlen to join a reunion. Ohlen accepted the offer, according to wccftech.com.
On November 4, Oster tweeted about wanting to get some of the original band back together. On November 5, he estimated that a new Mass Effect would cost $200 million or more based on comparable projects, and said it could be done well for less with a disciplined approach and an experienced team.
On November 6, he publicly asked Ohlen to join the reunion. Ohlen replied that a chance to work on Dragon Age again is a dream of his.
The following Saturday, Oster tweeted that he was running scenarios in Excel and had passed revision 30. On Sunday, he said he would welcome support from the Canadian government.
Background
Ohlen spent 22 years at BioWare and led design on Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire and Dragon Age: Origins, and was game director on Star Wars: The Old Republic. He left BioWare in 2018 and less than a year later founded Archetype Entertainment under Wizards of the Coast, working on Exodus with Drew Karpyshyn, Chad Robertson and Chris King. He abruptly left Archetype in January 2026 and later said he had suffered severe game development burnout. Exodus is now due on April 7, 2027.
Quick answers
What did Trent Oster say about the cost of a new Mass Effect?
On November 5, he estimated a new Mass Effect at $200 million or more based on contemporaries, and said it could be done well for less with a disciplined approach and an experienced team.
Did James Ohlen agree to join Trent Oster's reunion?
Yes. Oster publicly asked him on November 6, and Ohlen replied that a chance to work on Dragon Age again is a dream of his.
Has a new Mass Effect been announced?
No. Oster said he is evaluating financing and running scenarios, and said he would welcome support from the Canadian government.