EA will soon be retiring the Bioware Points system following nine years of confusing exchange values.
The popular game publisher recently revealed to gamers with Origins installed that Bioware Points will no longer be available as a form of currency in the Origin store due to unknown reasons.
As a result, downloadable content (DLC) for some Dragon Age and Mass Effect games have been listed as free on EA's game store and game launcher, Origin.
EA Bioware Points System Retirement Details
EA recently sent an email to gamers that have signed up for its Origin game store and launcher detailing that it will sunset its Bioware Points system on October 11, according to a copy of the email posted on Reddit's r/masseffect subreddit.
The letter also states that because of EA's decision, most DLC for four of Bioware's hit games that were previously only purchasable with Bioware Points are now free to download anytime. These games are: Dragon Age II, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3
However, EA noted that multiplayer packs for Mass Effect 3 are not included in the list.
Meanwhile, gamers with Bioware Points can still use them before October 11 to purchase multiplayer packs for Mass Effect 3. After October 11, gamers will be required to earn in-game points to be able to purchase Mass Effect 3's multiplayer packs.
EA also assures gamers that have purchased DLC for the previously mentioned games using Bioware Points can still enjoy them even after October 11 has passed.
Bioware's other currencies, such as Crystals and Platinum, will remain unaffected by the retirement of the Bioware Points system.
Why EA Is Retiring Bioware Points
EA did not disclose in its email to gamers why it is retiring the Bioware Points system, but it could be assumed that it was an unpopular currency that has a confusing exchange value and that it might have become obsolete, according to Games Radar.
Bioware Points were part of a currency system Bioware used to sell DLC for the previously mentioned games on PC, while console gamers are required to buy the DLCs through the relevant Sony and Microsoft storefronts. However, unlike purchasing the DLCs through Microsoft and Sony's respective console stores, PC players were forced to purchase Biowarepoints at awkward exchange rates to buy the DLCs they want.
Additionally, gamers can also earn Bioware Points by creating a Bioware account, buying a product on Bioware's official store, and reviewing games with photos and videos while also sharing them, per Bioware's official website.
Players can also earn Bioware Points through ineracting with the company on various social media platforms and when it is their birthday.
However, EA soon provided a solution for PC and console gamers alike by releasing DLC bundles on Origin and Steam that offers gamers all the DLCs for a particular game at a reasonable price, unlike Bioware Points.
On the other hand, EA made some content available on its support site, and it also released Mass Effect: Legendary Edition to give games access to all of the series' content, free or paid, regardless of a gamer's platform, bypassing the need to get Bioware Points.
