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. This 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 the decision as a strategic realignment during a period between major development cycles. He stated that the full studio's support isn't currently needed for the Mass Effect project and that efforts have been made to place affected employees in suitable roles within other EA teams.
While EA hasn't disclosed precise figures, it's understood that an unspecified number of BioWare developers have transitioned to other positions within EA. A smaller group of Dragon Age team members are facing potential layoffs, with the option to apply for internal openings.
This restructuring follows previous layoffs at BioWare in 2023 and several high-profile departures, including the recent announcement of director Corinne Busche's departure. The current size of BioWare's workforce remains unconfirmed. EA declined to provide specific numbers regarding impacted employees, layoffs, or remaining staff, only stating that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current phase of Mass Effect development.
The upcoming Mass Effect game, announced four years ago, is still in its early stages. BioWare's current strategy prioritizes focusing on one title at a time. This involved temporarily shifting some Mass Effect developers to the Dragon Age team to complete Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and now those developers are returning to the Mass Effect project. 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 targets by approximately 50%, contributing to a lowered fiscal year outlook. EA will discuss its Q3 earnings on February 4th.
