BioWare, the renowned developer behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, is sadly closing its doors after more than 30 years. Additionally, the early development of the next Mass Effect project is coming to an end.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, the studio expressed that BioWare is more than just a studio; it’s a cherished home for storytellers and developers alike.
Among its impressive portfolio of games are titles like Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Anthem.
The announcement acknowledged the difficulty of sharing this news and emphasized that the primary focus is on supporting the incredibly talented team who poured their passion into these beloved games.
Reports from Bloomberg indicate that Electronic Arts (EA) will be reducing its workforce by around 400 employees, with approximately 50 job cuts expected at BioWare. This decision is part of EA’s restructuring efforts.
A leaked staff letter from EA’s top executives revealed that after a thorough evaluation of the business, certain projects, including the next Mass Effect installment, have been discontinued. This game was still in its early stages of development at BioWare.
This closure comes shortly after EA’s acquisition by PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners in August. The underperformance of BioWare’s latest release, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, reportedly played a role in these organizational changes.
EA’s future focus will be on projects like Apex Legends, Battlefield, the upcoming Star Wars Jedi game, and a new Iron Man game. Despite this shift, EA plans to continue developing skate while reducing the team size. Unfortunately, a planned Sims game with the codename Project Lotus has been canceled.
The full statement from BioWare reflects on the incredible legacy built over the years, expressing gratitude to the players who made these worlds come alive through their engagement, passion, and love for the games.
The team at BioWare extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of their journey, emphasizing the profound impact players have had on shaping their stories and experiences.