EA Restructures BioWare, Focusing Entirely on Next Mass Effect Game
Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a restructuring of BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age and Mass Effect, shifting developers to other EA projects and concentrating solely on its upcoming Mass Effect title.
In a blog post, general manager Gary McKay explained that BioWare is "reimagining how we work" between development cycles. He stated that the full studio's support isn't currently needed for the Mass Effect project and that many employees have been successfully transitioned to other suitable roles within EA.
While EA hasn't disclosed exact figures, it's understood that an unspecified number of BioWare developers have been reassigned. A smaller number of Dragon Age team members face potential layoffs, with the option to apply for internal positions.
This restructuring follows previous layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures, including director Corinne Busche's recent announcement. The current size of BioWare's workforce remains unclear. EA declined to provide specific numbers but confirmed that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current phase of Mass Effect development, prioritizing the project after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
The new Mass Effect game, announced four years ago, is still in its early stages. BioWare's strategy now involves prioritizing single game development, with some developers returning to Mass Effect after assisting with the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Veteran developers Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley are leading the Mass Effect project.
This announcement follows EA's recent revelation that Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed player targets by approximately 50%, contributing to a reduced fiscal year guidance, alongside underperforming results from EA Sports FC 25. EA's Q3 earnings call is scheduled for February 4.
