EA closes BioWare and cancels next Mass Effect amid 400 layoffs

Electronic Arts is closing BioWare and cancelling the next Mass Effect project as part of a restructuring that will affect about 400 employees, roughly 3 percent of its global workforce. The layoffs were disclosed by Bloomberg and confirmed by EA in an internal statement.

Nearly 50 BioWare staff members will lose their jobs when the studio shuts down permanently. David Tinson, EA’s chief operating officer, and Cam Weber, head of studios, said the company is deliberately directing talent and investment toward areas with the greatest opportunities for players and long-term growth.

“After more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.”

BioWare was founded in 1995 and acquired by Electronic Arts in 2007. The Canadian developer created influential titles including Mass Effect, Dragon Age, the first two Baldur’s Gate games, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Recent releases weakened the studio’s commercial and critical standing. Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard are cited as setbacks, with Anthem described as a failure and The Veilguard suffering from poor marketing despite solid reviews.

EA will concentrate on sports franchises, Apex Legends, and licensed action experiences such as Star Wars Jedi and Iron Man. The company also confirmed Respawn will work with DICE on a project expected to be Star Wars Battlefront 3.

Other adjustments include cancelling an unannounced Sims project codenamed Project Lotus in favour of Project Evergreen, while a new skate game will continue with a visibly smaller development team.