BioWare Slashes Workforce to Under 100 After Layoffs, Exits

BioWare, the renowned game development studio, has reportedly been reduced to fewer than 100 employees following recent layoffs and staff departures after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This significant downsizing comes in the wake of a restructuring effort by Electronic Arts (EA) to shift BioWare's focus exclusively to the development of the next Mass Effect game.

According to Bloomberg, BioWare's workforce was over 200 just two years ago, during the peak of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's production. However, last week, EA announced a strategic pivot, directing BioWare to concentrate solely on Mass Effect 5. This shift resulted in some team members from Dragon Age: The Veilguard being reassigned to other EA projects. For instance, John Epler, the creative director of Veilguard, was moved to work on Full Circle's upcoming skateboarding game, Skate, while senior writer Sheryl Chee transitioned to Motive Studio to work on Iron Man.

EA's decision to restructure BioWare was influenced by the underwhelming performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which engaged only 1.5 million players during its recent financial quarter—nearly 50% below EA's projections. Bloomberg reported that these staff reassignments have now become permanent relocations, effectively ending their tenure at BioWare.

In addition to the reassignments, several BioWare employees were laid off, prompting many to seek new opportunities. Notable figures such as editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm have all confirmed their departures via social media. BioWare had already experienced a round of layoffs in 2023, and director Corinne Busche announced her exit last month.

When IGN sought detailed information from EA regarding the number of affected employees, potential layoffs, and the current headcount at BioWare, the company provided a vague response. EA stated, "The studio's priority was Dragon Age. During this time there were people continuing to build the vision for the next Mass Effect. Now that The Veilguard has shipped, the studio's full focus is Mass Effect. While we're not sharing numbers, the studio has the right number of people in the right roles to work on Mass Effect at this stage of development."

Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reported that the recent layoffs impacted around two dozen BioWare employees. Schreier also noted that the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard was considered a "miracle" by staff, given the challenges posed by EA's fluctuating directives, including an initial push towards a live-service model that was later abandoned. IGN has previously documented some of the development hurdles faced by Dragon Age: The Veilguard, including earlier layoffs and the departure of several project leads.

Amidst concerns from Dragon Age fans about the future of the series, one former BioWare writer offered reassurance, stating, "Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now."

Looking forward, EA confirmed that a "core team" at BioWare is currently developing the next Mass Effect game. This team is led by veterans from the original trilogy, including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others, ensuring a strong foundation for the upcoming title.