Electronic Arts is closing the doors on BioWare, the acclaimed studio behind the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises, as part of a significant restructuring that includes approximately 400 layoffs across the company. The closure of BioWare also signifies the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game, which had been announced in 2020.
In a communication to staff, EA executives cited a strategic focus on established franchises such as Apex Legends, Battlefield, and its sports titles, including Madden. This shift in priorities has led to the discontinuation of BioWare's operations and the termination of early development on the new Mass Effect project.
According to reports, around 50 employees at BioWare are among the hundreds affected by the layoffs. EA is also reportedly canceling a Sims game codenamed Project Lotus, while continuing development on other titles like a new Star Wars Jedi game and Marvel's Iron Man, with Respawn and DICE co-developing a new Star Wars Battlefront game.
BioWare officially confirmed the news through its social media channels, reflecting on its more than three decades of existence. "For more than 30 years, BioWare has been more than a studio. It has been a home for storytellers, developers, and the players who brought our worlds to life," the developer stated. "Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending."
The cancellation of the new Mass Effect game, often referred to as Mass Effect 5, comes as the title was reportedly in its early stages of development. BioWare's last major release, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, did not meet sales expectations. The most recent entry in the Mass Effect series was 2017's Mass Effect: Andromeda, which received a mixed reception from critics and players alike.