● Covered by 4 sources · 4 reportsMedium impact4 negative
EA Shuts Down BioWare, Cancels Next Mass Effect Game, and Cuts 400 Jobs
Key points
- EA is shutting down BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
- The next Mass Effect game, in early development, has been canceled.
- Approximately 400 jobs are being cut across EA, with 50 at BioWare.
- BioWare was founded in 1995 and acquired by EA in 2007.
- The changes follow EA's acquisition by an investor group in August.
- BioWare was also behind Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur’s Gate.
- EA is focusing on Battlefield, Iron Man, and a Fight Night revival.
- BioWare was acquired by EA in 2008.
- The next Mass Effect game was first announced in November 2020.
- The Mass Effect Legendary Edition remaster was released in 2021.
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard is expected in 2024.
BioWare Studio Closure and Project Cancellation
Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed the closure of BioWare, the studio responsible for popular role-playing game franchises such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The announcement stated that after more than three decades, BioWare is ceasing operations. Concurrently, EA has decided to halt development on the next Mass Effect game, which was in its early stages.
Company-Wide Layoffs
The closure of BioWare is part of a larger restructuring effort at EA, which includes significant job reductions. Approximately 400 employees, representing about three percent of EA's workforce, are being laid off across the company. Of these, around 50 job cuts are specifically within BioWare. EA stated it would assist affected workers in exploring other internal opportunities.
Background and Context
BioWare was founded in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1995 and was acquired by EA in 2007. The studio has faced challenges in recent years, with titles like Anthem and Dragon Age: The Veilguard reportedly not meeting sales expectations. This restructuring also follows EA's acquisition by an investor group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners in a $55 billion deal that closed in August. EA executives indicated that these decisions align talent and investments with areas offering the greatest opportunities for players and long-term growth.
Industry Trends
The layoffs at EA and the closure of BioWare occur amidst a period of significant changes across the gaming industry. Other major companies, including Xbox, Bungie, and Epic Games, have also announced substantial job cuts and restructuring efforts this year.
Updates
- BioWare was also behind Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur’s Gate.
- EA is focusing on Battlefield, Iron Man, and a Fight Night revival.
- BioWare was acquired by EA in 2008.
- The next Mass Effect game was first announced in November 2020.
- The Mass Effect Legendary Edition remaster was released in 2021.
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard is expected in 2024.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Electronic Arts (EA) is closing its BioWare studio in Edmonton after 31 years, leading to the cancellation of early development on the next Mass Effect game. This decision shifts EA's focus to franchises like Battlefield, Iron Man, and a Fight Night revival, impacting the future of BioWare's established series.
BioWare, the studio known for Mass Effect and Dragon Age, announced its closure after over three decades. This follows a Bloomberg report detailing 400 job cuts across parent company Electronic Arts, including 50 at BioWare, and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect project.
Electronic Arts (EA) is shutting down BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and laying off approximately 400 employees across the company. This restructuring follows BioWare's recent struggles with game sales and EA's new ownership, which is focusing on fewer, larger-scale projects.
Electronic Arts (EA) is shutting down BioWare, the studio known for RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and has canceled the next Mass Effect game. This closure is part of broader layoffs at EA, including 400 job cuts, following EA's acquisition by an investor group.