EA Shuts Down BioWare & Cancels Mass Effect 5

THIS WEEK: Danfinity, EpicDan22 and BonafideHiro dig into the news - Will Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's PIF buy the Unity engine? Did Microsoft sabotage Arkane's Marvel's Blade? Can a Canadian petition to save BioWare?Plus: the God of War Laufey delay, Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel title reveal, Zelda:Ocarina of Time remake review & MORE!| SOURCES |Game Informer - God Of War Laufey Delayed To May by Wesley LeBlancGame Informer - The Elder Scrolls VI Has An Official Subtitle And It's 'Sentinel' by Kyle HilliardPC Gamer - French game union accuses Microsoft of 'sabotaging' Blade and then using the fallout to justify closing Arkane by Andy ChalkEurogamer - Mass Effect petition has enough signatures for the Canadian Government to potentially save BioWare by Sharif Saed: https://www.eurogamer.net/bioware-canada-house-of-commons-petition-save-mass-effectReuters - Silver Lake, PIF have held recent talks to buy gaming software provider Unity, sources say by Milana Vinn, Akash Sriram and Echo WangNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Got a question for the panel? Leave us a voicemail on RSS.com: https://rss.com/podcasts/need-a-rez/voicemail/Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodVisit our website: https://needarez.comFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpodFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.socialFollow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: Bungie revealed a new progress bar to bring Destiny 2 back from the grave, Exodus shows off an impressive 40 minute trailer to wipe away your Mass Effect mourning, and will EA actually make a Star Wars: Battlefront 3? Join Danfinity, EpicDan22, Samikat & Tiddly as we talk about the gaming news of the week!| SOURCES |Kotaku - Ex-BioWare Devs Released A 40-Minute Gameplay Video Of Exodus And Yeah, That’s A Mass Effect Spiritual Successor Alright by Ash ParrishEXODUS - Gameplay | Liberating the Kay Mission DemoGame Informer - EA Reportedly Closed BioWare To Invest In Developing Star Wars Battlefront III Instead Of The Next Mass Effect by Wesley LeBlancBungie - Bungie Community Update – October 2026 by Community Manager dmg04Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodVisit our website: https://needarez.comFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpodFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comOn Bluesky? Follow the whole crew with our Starter Pack: https://go.bsky.app/9mfD4nXListen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.Ratings and reviews make a real difference for independent showsFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplaysFollow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: EA shuts down BioWare and cancels Mass Effect 5. Join Danfinity, EpicDan22, Eseipha and BonafideHiro as they unpack the the latest on a one of their beloved studios. Plus Arkane Lyon's race to save themselves, Steam Next Fest's AI flood and our picks for games to watch.| SOURCES |Kotaku - Arkane Devs Say Blade Is Nearly Finished But If It Can't Find A Buyer Soon, The Studio Will Close by Ash ParrishKotaku - Steam Next Fest Has Become A Massive Disaster And A Grim Look At The Future by Zack ZwiezenIGN - Steam Fans Are Begging for a No-AI Filter as Steam Next Fest Is Filled With Slop by Jacqueline ThomasAftermath - Game Developers Fear That Thieving AI Vibecoders Will Make Free Game Demos A Thing Of The Past by Nathan GraysonGame Informer - EA Is Shutting Down Legendary RPG Studio BioWare Amid New Round Of Layoffs by Eric Van AllenSign the Save Mass Effect petition: https://www.change.org/p/savemasseffectNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTubeFollow us on Twitter/XFollow us on BlueskyListen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.socialFollow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22Follow Eseipha: https://bsky.app/profile/eseipha.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: GTA 6 leaker Cyberleek backs down, Activision QA workers authorize a strike, and Epic bets big on AI. Guest AboutBeverages joins Danfinity and EpicDan22 on Big Walk skipping Xbox, the Power to the Players Act, Boltgun 2, and Witcher 3 Remastered.| SOURCES |Kotaku - GTA 6 Leaker Announces They Won't Release The Full Game: 'The Leeks Stop For Now' by Zack ZwiezenAftermath - With Call Of Duty Release Near And No Union Contract In Sight, Activision Workers Authorize Strike by Nathan GraysonPC Gamer - Haunted Chocolatier is still 'a town game', but it'll be more of an action RPG: 'It's for the people in Stardew Valley that go into the mines' by Harvey RandallHouse House - Statement on Big Walk and XboxEpic Games Store - The new Epic Games Launcher is finally here in PreviewIGN - Epic Reportedly Pushing Devs to Use AI, Delays Secret Star Wars and Marvel Crossover Shooter by Michael CripeKotaku - Rep. Ritchie Torres Announces Congressional Legislation To Protect Video Game Ownership: 'If You Pay For It, You Own It' by Ethan GachNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpodFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comListen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezFollow AboutBeverages: https://twitch.tv/aboutbeveragesGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: Danfinity and Tiddly hold down the fort as a GTA 6 leaker, Cyberleeks, dangles the full game build over a $30 million crypto rug-pull, PS5 emulation rises in the face of cries for No Disc, No Buy at Sony, and Google's Playground promises AI-made games. Plus the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ending, Control Resonant, Moonlighter 2, and the Triple-I Initiative showcase.| SOURCES |Triple-I Initiative - October 2026 ShowcaseTechCrunch - Google Experiments with an AI-Powered Gaming Platform by Lauren ForristalArs Technica - PS5 Emulation Is Suddenly Making Big Strides on PC by Kyle OrlandKotaku - GTA 6 Leaker Threatens Rockstar With Doomsday Scenario If Meme Coin Hits $30 Million by Ethan GachNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodVisit our website: https://needarez.comFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpodFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comOn Bluesky? Follow the whole crew with our Starter Pack: https://go.bsky.app/9mfD4nXListen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.Ratings and reviews make a real difference for independent shows:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51utOpaycri2x7WotgVlFX?si=3e44fadce31945d0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/need-a-rez/id1638939545PocketCasts: https://pca.st/iczgzkt1RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xmlFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: Halo and Destiny co-creator Jason Jones launches Stone Kite, Stop Killing Games sounds the alarm on the EU Kids Act, and the panel digs through the Fall 2026 Steam Sale. Plus, Samikat kicks off Need A Rec, our new monthly game club, with Otterly Lost, and we get into Gears of War: E-Day, Control Resonant, War Dogs and Pratfall.| SOURCES |Kotaku - Advocacy Group Stop Killing Games Sounds Alarm On EU Kids Act: 'This Is Such A Horrible Law Proposal' by Lewis ParkerIGN - Jason Jones, Co-Creator of Halo and Destiny and Co-Founder of Bungie, Announces New Studio by Ryan McCaffreyKotaku - Fall 2026 Steam Sale Features So Many Great Games For $15 Or Less by Zack ZwiezenNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodVisit our website: https://needarez.comFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpodFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comRSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xmlFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplaysFollow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: Activision is handed the keys to the Halo franchise as Halo Studios. Plus, Bungie pledges to restore vaulted Destiny 2 content and improve Marathon. Join Danfinity, BonafideHiro, Samikat, Eseipha & special guest IllPhysics as they break down the news of this week!| SOURCES |Kotaku - Activision Taking Over Halo Franchise And What Remains Of Halo Studios Will Now Be A Support Team by Zach ZwiezenPC Gamer - Bethesda says that Obsidian's 'creative identity' will be preserved, just months after multiple projects were cancelled and it was told to make a Fallout game by Harvey RandallGamesIndustry.biz - Microsoft files patent for "ad-credit" system to show ads on PC and Xbox without disrupting gameplay by Sophie McAvoyGame Informer - Bungie Announces Plans To Restore Vaulted Destiny 2 Content And Substantial Reworks To Marathon by Marcus StewartNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodVisit our website: https://needarez.comFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpodFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comRSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xmlFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.socialFollow Eseipha: https://bsky.app/profile/eseipha.bsky.socialFollow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplaysFollow IllPhysics: https://twitch.tv/illphysicsThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: Danfinity is back from PAX West and welcomes back the full panel to talk about the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Nintendo Direct, BlizzCon 2026's MAJOR Starcraft and Diablo announcements, and Kojima's Physint jumping ship from Sony's PlayStation over to Xbox! | SOURCES |PC Gamer - BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony recap and live blog Tyler Wide: https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/news/live/blizzcon-2026-opening-ceremony-live-coverage-whats-next-for-warcraft-overwatch-diablo-and-starcraft/Nintendo - The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct 9.8.2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0WX-jsir94Nintendo - Nintendo Direct 9.9.2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_QJ4BYIGMEGamesIndustry.biz - PlayStation allegedly had "concerns over budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity" over Kojima Productions' Physint by Sophie McEvoy: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/playstation-allegedly-had-concerns-over-budget-potential-profitability-and-exclusivity-over-kojima-productions-physint ---Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodVisit our website: https://needarez.comFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpodFollow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comListen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xmlFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.socialFollow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplaysFollow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: Danfinity, Samikat, BonafideHiro and Tiddly break down Gamescom 2026's avalanche of reveals (Fable, a surprise Witcher 3 DLC, and a fairytale horror game called Murals) before digging into Rockstar's 30-minute extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI.| SOURCES |Gamescom 2026: https://www.gamescom.global/en/games Rockstar Games — Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJbzMqJGH4kNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod Visit our website: https://needarez.com Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51utOpaycri2x7WotgVlFX?si=3e44fadce31945d0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/need-a-rez/id1638939545 PocketCasts: https://pca.st/iczgzkt1 RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xmlFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg Follow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.social Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

THIS WEEK: Danfinity and Tiddly break down this week's biggest gaming story: the CyberLeek's ongoing GTA 6 leaks and Take-Two's legal scramble to shut them down. We also unpack BioWare's uncertain future after EA's $55 billion buyout, immersive sim veteran Harvey Smith's new studio, and Success for Double Fine & Compulsion Games post Microsoft.| SOURCES |IGN - GTA 6 Leaker Releases More Gameplay Videos Despite Rockstar Owner Take-Two's Microsoft and Discord Subpoenas by Wesley Yin-PooleIGN - Mass Effect 5 and BioWare's Future Uncertain Following Buyout, Former EA Manager Now Says by Tom PhillipsPC Gamer - Dishonored Co-Creator Harvey Smith Launches a New Studio and It Literally Has the Word 'Immersive' in the Name by Andy ChalkGamesBeat - Compulsion Games Pulls Off Management Buyout and Separates From Xbox by Dean TakahashiKotaku - Psychonauts Dev Now Owns All Its Games and Publishing Rights by Rebekah ValentineNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@needarezpod Visit our website: https://needarez.com Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.comFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomezGot something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!