EA Shuts Down BioWare, Canceling Next Mass Effect Project
The closure of the Edmonton studio ends a 31-year run that produced several major role-playing franchises.
By Kaito Sokolov ·
Electronic Arts has closed BioWare and its Edmonton facility, ending operations for a developer with a three-decade history in the industry. The decision, communicated to staff, also involves canceling early development work on the next entry in the Mass Effect series. The company is shifting its attention toward a slate of projects that includes Battlefield, Iron Man, and a Fight Night revival.
BioWare was founded in 1991 and operated for 31 years before its closure. Throughout that time, the studio released titles such as Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Baldur's Gate. It is also responsible for the creation of the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises. Electronic Arts acquired the studio in 2008, and the parent company transitioned to private ownership this past August.
The company described BioWare as a 'legendary studio' but noted it had decided not to move forward with development of the next Mass Effect game. The project had been first announced in November 2020, followed by a trailer released that December. Since that reveal, BioWare released the Mass Effect Legendary Edition remaster in 2021 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024, remaining largely quiet on other projects in the interim.
Electronic Arts is directing its resources toward three specific objectives: Deepen Our Core, Expand Our Reach, and Transform Our Business. Under this framework, the company has identified Battlefield 6 as a success and is focusing on Apex Legends modes, Marvel's Iron Man, and the next Star Wars Jedi game. The company also plans to prioritize work on 'Project Evergreen' regarding The Sims.
The closure affects employees who will now be supported in exploring other opportunities within the organization. The company did not disclose a specific count of affected jobs. While the studio is ending operations, the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series were not declared dead, nor were BioWare's previously released games addressed in the communication.
One factor potentially influencing the studio's status involves the reception of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The company previously reported that the title engaged about 1.5 million players during a quarter, a figure described as down nearly 50% from expectations. Previously, BioWare general manager Gary McKay indicated that only a core team was working on the next Mass Effect game and did not require support from the full studio.
The restructuring aligns with broader movements within the industry regarding job reductions. For example, Microsoft announced 3,200 Xbox job cuts in July, citing low margins. Electronic Arts did not reveal specific dates for major titles but plans to discuss its direction with staff at its Global Town Hall in November.
For now, the company is concentrating on its core franchises and has decided to drop the studio to refocus on what has been working.
