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 the studio is "reimagining how we work" between major development cycles. 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, unspecified number of Dragon Age team members have been let go, with the option to apply for other internal positions.

This restructuring follows a series of changes at BioWare in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures, most recently director Corinne Busche. While EA didn't disclose specific numbers regarding the impact of the restructuring, a spokesperson confirmed that the studio now has the appropriate personnel to focus entirely on the Mass Effect project. The spokesperson emphasized that the studio's priority shifted from Dragon Age to Mass Effect following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

The new Mass Effect game, announced four years ago, remains in its early stages of development. BioWare's current strategy prioritizes a single game at a time. This involves developers who previously worked on Mass Effect returning to the project after assisting with the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Veteran Mass Effect developers Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley are leading the development.

This announcement follows EA's recent revelation that Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed player targets by approximately 50%, contributing to a lowered fiscal year guidance. EA's Q3 earnings call is scheduled for February 4th.