I'm sure the pressure is as subtle as he's making it out to be, but asking "Where's your Destiny?" or saying the studio needs to get on board with the corporate-wide GaaS initiative and figure out how to monetize their games past the initial point of sell is basically forcing them to make an online game. I mean, everyone knows what happens to EA studios that don't perform. Not that the people in charge of Bioware weren't interested in giving it a try, but I doubt there was zero pressure to do it.
Why does anyone care that EA is pressuring Bioware to generate revenue? Why does it matter that EA ends a studio? "Takes it out back and shoots them." EA is in the business of making games, so shooting a studio does not stop the fact that EA will make more games. The IP can be transferred, or is owned by EA, and can be given to any studio to make a game of. For me, the only reason to care about EA shooting a studio is the scattering of talent, of the personnel, of the culture that can exist at a studio. But its been 10 years since Bioware got brought by EA. Turnover in the industry is so high, most of the people who made the prior games probably dont even work there anymore.
Again, I have to repeat this question, why does it matter that EA says, "Generate revenue", thats what all gaming companies do. We are imparting a sense that Bioware is this entity that is tied to EA, another entity, that if freed would go back to making single-player games. Its a stupid notion. If the people there who lead the studio want to make single-player games, guess what, they aren't gonna buy out the company, they will leave and join other companies, or create their own company.
