BioWare Reassigns Mass Effect 5 Staff

EA Restructures BioWare, Focusing 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 that the studio is using the period between major development cycles to "reimagine how we work." 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 exact numbers, it's understood that some Dragon Age team members have been laid off, with the option to apply for other internal positions. This follows previous layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures, including director Corinne Busche's recent announcement.

EA's spokesperson confirmed the shift in focus to Mass Effect, stating the studio now has the appropriate personnel for the current development stage. They declined to provide specific numbers regarding layoffs or remaining staff.

The new Mass Effect game, announced four years ago, is still in its early stages. BioWare's strategy now involves prioritizing a single game at a time. This includes developers who previously assisted with Dragon Age: The Veilguard returning to the Mass Effect project. Veteran developers Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley are leading the Mass Effect development.

This announcement follows EA's recent disclosure that Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed player targets by approximately 50%, impacting their fiscal year guidance alongside underperforming results from EA Sports FC 25. EA will hold a Q3 earnings call on February 4th to further discuss these matters. The image placements remain unchanged.