EA Announces Layoffs and Closure of BioWare
Written with artificial intelligence.
Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed the closure of BioWare, the studio known for the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises, along with the cancellation of a new Mass Effect title. Approximately 400 employees will be laid off, including around 50 from BioWare, as part of EA's organizational restructuring.
EA Restructuring and BioWare Closure
Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a significant restructuring that will result in the closure of BioWare, the studio behind acclaimed RPG series such as Mass Effect and Dragon Age. This decision includes the cancellation of the upcoming Mass Effect project. According to Bloomberg, about 400 employees, representing roughly 3% of EA's global workforce, will be affected by these layoffs, including approximately 50 from BioWare.
This restructuring follows EA's recent $55 billion privatization acquisition completed in August, although the company has not directly linked this round of layoffs to the acquisition. EA's leadership, including President Cam Weber and COO David Tinson, communicated in an internal memo that the decision to refocus resources on more promising games and services comes amid increasing industry competition and a growing variety of player choices.
BioWare, established in 1995 and known for its narrative-driven RPGs, had been working with a small team on the new Mass Effect title. However, EA has decided to halt this project and close BioWare's studio in Canada. The studio has had a storied history, having developed iconic titles that emphasized storytelling and player choice, but faced challenges after EA's acquisition, with several releases underperforming.
In addition to BioWare's closure, EA's restructuring will prioritize the further development of The Sims series under the codename "Project Evergreen" while pausing the development of "Project Lotus." The free-to-play game skate. will also see a reduction in its development team. EA plans to continue investing in titles like Battlefield, Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi, and Marvel's Iron Man, and is preparing for a new installment in the Fight Night series.
BioWare has issued a farewell statement to its players, reflecting on its 30-plus years as not just a game development studio but as a community where creators and players built worlds together. The closure of BioWare marks the end of a significant chapter in the history of RPG development in the West.