Part 6/15:
The final verdict from analysts was bleak; industry veteran Doug Croit expressed skepticism that the studio could recover, suggesting it might shutter its doors entirely after over ten years of producing no true hits. The game's failure, in essence, is seen as a death knell for the franchise and a serious blow to BioWare's reputation.
Media Defense and Backlash: Who’s Responsible?
Initially, many outlets dismissed the early signs of trouble, dismissing dissenters as 'haters' and pushing the narrative that any negativity was just vocal minority opposition. However, as the numbers confirmed the game's failure, the narrative shifted. Some journalists and industry insiders, including Jason Schreier, acknowledged the disastrous results but then attempted to blame external factors.