BioWare Shifts Focus on Mass Effect 5

EA Restructures BioWare, Focusing Solely on the 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 time between major development cycles to "reimagine how we work at BioWare." He stated that the full studio's support isn't currently needed for the Mass Effect project and that many employees have been successfully transitioned to other suitable roles within EA.

While EA hasn't disclosed specific numbers, it's understood that some Dragon Age team members have been let go, with the option to apply for other positions within the company. This follows previous layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures, including director Corinne Busche's recent announcement.

EA's statement emphasizes that BioWare now has the appropriate staffing for the Mass Effect project's current development phase. The company's spokesperson clarified that the studio's focus 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 is to prioritize single game development, with some developers who previously worked on Mass Effect returning to the project after assisting with the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Veteran developers Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley are leading the Mass Effect development.

This restructuring follows EA's recent announcement 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.