Commander Shepard actors Jennifer Hale & Mark Meer mourn BioWare: 'It was in the hands of ownership that may not have understood what BioWare fully is''

Actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, who voiced Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series, addressed fans in an October 21 Instagram Live following BioWare’s closure. Hale expressed concern for displaced employees while speculating about the fate of BioWare’s intellectual properties under new ownership. She suggested that profit-driven priorities might lead to the sale of these IPs, potentially allowing others to revive them. Hale also humorously proposed a community-driven Kickstarter as a last resort to reclaim the franchises.

Mark Meer, a longtime Edmonton resident, emphasized the cultural significance of BioWare to the city and its local theater community. He acknowledged the distress of fans but reassured them that the legacy of Mass Effect would endure as long as the community kept it alive. Meer highlighted the importance of celebrating N7 Day and the upcoming 20th anniversary of Mass Effect 1, despite the lack of corporate support.

Hale and Meer’s reflections underscored the broader trend of industry consolidation driven by profit motives rather than creative vision. They noted that while corporate structures may collapse, the talent and creativity within them often resurface elsewhere. Both actors stressed that the joy and meaning derived from BioWare’s work could not be erased by corporate decisions.

The actors’ remarks also touched on the challenges of reviving dormant franchises, citing past examples like Ultima, which EA has neglected for over 20 years. They expressed skepticism about crowdfunding as a viable solution, given the scale and cost of such projects, and suggested that only deep-pocketed individuals or governments might realistically intervene to save BioWare’s IPs.