Electronic Arts is closing the BioWare studio and its Edmonton location, according to a letter to employees. The decision confirms that early development on the next Mass Effect game has been canceled. BioWare, which has operated for 31 years, created major franchises including Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur’s Gate.
EA closes BioWare and shifts focus
EA described BioWare as a “legendary studio” but stated it made the decision not to move forward with the new Mass Effect project. A small team had been working on the title, but the company is now redirecting its resources. EA is prioritizing three areas: Deepen Our Core, Expand Our Reach, and Transform Our Business.
The company highlighted Battlefield 6 as a “great success.” Other priorities include adding modes to Apex Legends, developing Marvel’s Iron Man, and working on the next Star Wars Jedi game. EA also mentioned Project Gridiron, a social-first open-world football experience, and a Fight Night revival currently in pre-production. The company intends to prioritize efforts on Project Evergreen for The Sims.
BioWare Edmonton closure and staff impact
EA did not provide a specific number of employees affected by the closure. The company stated that impacted staff would be supported in exploring other opportunities within EA. BioWare general manager Gary McKay previously noted that only a core team was working on the next Mass Effect game and that colleagues were being matched with other teams at EA.
The studio’s recent performance may have influenced the decision. Dragon Age: The Veilguard, released in 2024, engaged about 1.5 million players in its first quarter. This figure was nearly 50% lower than EA’s expectations. The Mass Effect series was first announced in November 2020, with a trailer released the following December. A remaster of the original trilogy, the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, launched in 2021.
Industry context and future plans
Job cuts have become common in the gaming industry. Microsoft announced 3,200 Xbox job cuts in July, citing low margins. EA itself went private in August. The company has not declared the Mass Effect or Dragon Age series dead, but it has paused development on the next entry in the former franchise.
EA plans to discuss its direction and work ahead with staff at its Global Town Hall in November. The company has not revealed dates for major upcoming titles. This move represents a significant refocusing on established franchises that have shown stronger recent performance.
Source: Tom’s Hardware
