In a significant restructuring move, Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the closure of BioWare and its Edmonton studio. This decision, communicated through a letter to employees, also includes the cancellation of early development on the much-anticipated next installment of the Mass Effect franchise. BioWare, renowned for its contributions to gaming with iconic titles such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur’s Gate, has been a staple in the industry for over three decades.
EA’s current strategy is shifting focus towards franchises that have shown consistent success, including Battlefield, Iron Man, and a revival of Fight Night. The company described BioWare as a “legendary studio,” but ultimately decided not to proceed with the development of the next Mass Effect game, which had only a small team working on it. BioWare was acquired by EA in 2008, and the latter went private in August of this year.
The next Mass Effect game was initially announced in November 2020, with a teaser trailer released shortly thereafter. Following the release of the Mass Effect Legendary Edition remaster in 2021, the studio has remained relatively quiet, aside from the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard, set for release in 2024.
EA’s Strategic Refocus
EA has touted Battlefield 6 as a “great success,” while also emphasizing its commitment to expanding Apex Legends modes, developing Marvel’s Iron Man, and working on the next Star Wars Jedi game. Additionally, “Project Gridiron,” an open-world experience from EA Sports, is currently in development, alongside the pre-production of a Fight Night revival. The company has also indicated that it will continue to prioritize efforts on “Project Evergreen,” which pertains to The Sims franchise.
Employees affected by the closure will receive support in exploring other opportunities within EA, although the company did not disclose specific job numbers or declare the Mass Effect or Dragon Age series as defunct. BioWare’s previously released games were also not mentioned in the announcement.
Despite the challenges faced, including a reported engagement drop for Veilguard—engaging only about 1.5 million players during a recent quarter, nearly 50% below expectations—EA has not attributed this decline as a direct cause for the studio’s closure. Earlier statements from BioWare’s general manager, Gary McKay, indicated that only a core team was dedicated to the next Mass Effect game, with other team members reassigned to different projects within EA.
As the gaming landscape evolves, EA has yet to provide specific release dates for its major titles. However, the company plans to outline its future direction and upcoming projects during its Global Town Hall scheduled for November. For now, EA appears to be consolidating its resources and efforts on its core franchises, marking a pivotal moment in its operational strategy.