Mass Effect 5: BioWare Doesn't 'Require Support From the Full Studio', EA Moves Some Staff to Other Teams

EA Restructures BioWare, Focusing Entirely on Next Mass Effect Game

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a restructuring of BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age and Mass Effect, shifting developers to other EA projects and concentrating solely on the upcoming Mass Effect game.

In a blog post, general manager Gary McKay explained that the restructuring, occurring between development cycles, aims to "reimagine how we work at BioWare." He stated that the full studio's support wasn't needed at this stage of Mass Effect development 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 an unspecified number of BioWare developers have been reassigned, with a smaller number of Dragon Age team members facing potential layoffs and offered opportunities to apply for other internal positions.

BioWare's organizational structure has undergone several changes in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and notable departures during Dragon Age: The Veilguard's development, most recently director Corinne Busche. The current workforce size remains undisclosed. EA declined to provide specifics regarding the number of employees affected, stating only that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current phase of Mass Effect development. They emphasized that the studio's priority shifted from Dragon Age to Mass Effect following The Veilguard's release.

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

This announcement follows EA's recent revelation that Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed player targets by almost 50%, impacting their fiscal year guidance alongside underperforming EA Sports FC 25 results. EA's Q3 earnings call is scheduled for February 4.