Casey Hudson Returns to BioWare. Can He Save Mass Effect?

It’s no secret BioWare has seen its fair share of trials and tribulations ever since the release of Mass Effect: Andromeda. So much so that just months after the game’s release BioWare’s general manager Aaryn Flynn is leaving the company after 17 years. Interestingly enough, his shoes have already been filled by a familiar face, former Mass Effect project director Casey Hudson.

Hudson left the company shortly after the end of the original trilogy in 2014 to work at Microsoft’s video game production wing as creative director. During that time, he worked on HoloLens projects for the company.

It’s no coincidence that the former project director’s return comes at the same time as Flynn resignation, as he even stated in his letter. The (now) former GM wrote that he made the decision to step away once he was aware Hudson had expressed interest in returning.

“I have been contemplating changes in my own life for some time, but when I heard that Casey had confirmed he was up for the task, I realised the opportunities before us,” Flynn said. “I will be working with him over the next couple of weeks to help catch him up and do my part to set him up for success to be the best GM he can be.”

While saving the Mass Effect franchise, which was recently put on hold indefinitely, is likely important to him, a large factor in Casey Hudson’s return to BioWare revolves around their latest IP. Back in 2012 – right after the end of the Mass Effect Trilogy – Hudson and his team were in the process of envisioning this new series. This property wouldn’t be revealed for another five years, but when it did it took E3 2017 by storm. That game was what is now known as Anthem.

BioWare still has a long way to go before it can earn back a lot of its fans trust. The return of a beloved name attached to the original franchise and the creator of the most hyped product of E3 2017 is a good start though.