BioWare's Dragon Age: Veilguard Team Shrinks to Under 100

BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to fewer than 100 employees following layoffs and departures after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a restructuring focused on the next Mass Effect game. Bloomberg reported BioWare employed over 200 people two years ago during The Veilguard's development.

Last week's EA restructuring prioritized Mass Effect 5, resulting in some The Veilguard staff transferring to other EA studios. Game Developer reported Veilguard's Creative Director, John Epler, moved to Full Circle's Skate project, and Senior Writer Sheryl Chee transitioned to Motive's Iron Man development. These staff transfers, initially described as temporary, are now permanent relocations.

However, additional staff members were laid off. Following the announcement, several BioWare developers, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer on Dragon Age: The Veilguard Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm, announced their departures and job searches on social media. This follows 2023 layoffs and the departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche last month.

EA's response to inquiries regarding the impact of these changes was vague, stating the studio has the appropriate staffing for the current stage of Mass Effect development, without providing specific numbers. Bloomberg estimates approximately two dozen layoffs. BioWare staff reportedly consider the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard a remarkable achievement, given the challenges imposed by EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed. IGN has previously documented The Veilguard's development hurdles, including layoffs and the departure of several project leads.

Fan concerns regarding the future of the Dragon Age series are palpable, with a former BioWare writer offering a message of hope: “Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now.”

EA confirmed a core team at BioWare, led by veterans from the original Mass Effect trilogy—including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley—is developing the next Mass Effect game.