EA Restructures BioWare, Focusing Solely on Next Mass Effect Game
Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a restructuring of BioWare, the studio behind the Dragon Age and Mass Effect franchises. The restructuring involves reassigning a number of developers to other EA projects and concentrating all remaining resources on the upcoming Mass Effect game.
In a blog post, BioWare general manager Gary McKay explained that the studio is using the period between major development cycles to reassess its operational structure. He stated that the current Mass Effect development phase doesn't require the entire studio's workforce. Many BioWare employees have been transitioned to other suitable roles within EA, while a smaller number of Dragon Age team members have faced termination, with the option to apply for other internal positions.
BioWare has undergone significant structural changes in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures, most recently director Corinne Busche. The exact current employee count at BioWare remains undisclosed. While EA declined to provide specific numbers regarding affected employees, a spokesperson confirmed that the studio is now fully focused on Mass Effect following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. They emphasized that the current team size is appropriate for the Mass Effect project's developmental stage.
The new Mass Effect title, announced four years ago, is still in its early stages. BioWare's current strategy prioritizes a single game at a time. This restructuring includes the return of developers previously assigned to Dragon Age to complete The Veilguard back to the Mass Effect team. Veteran developers Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley are leading the Mass Effect development.
This announcement follows EA's recent revelation that Dragon Age: The Veilguard fell short of player expectations by approximately 50%, contributing to a lowered fiscal year outlook, alongside underperformance from EA Sports FC 25. EA will discuss these results further during its Q3 earnings call on February 4th.
