Mass Effect 5: BioWare's Solo Development Journey

EA Restructures BioWare, Focusing Entirely on Next Mass Effect Game

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a restructuring of BioWare, the studio behind the Dragon Age and Mass Effect franchises. The restructuring involves reassigning a number of developers to other EA projects and concentrating all remaining resources on the upcoming Mass Effect game.

In a blog post, BioWare general manager Gary McKay explained the studio is "reimagining how we work" during the period between major development cycles. He stated that the current Mass Effect development phase doesn't require the studio's full capacity. Many BioWare employees have been transitioned to other suitable roles within EA. A smaller number of Dragon Age team members have been let go, with the option to apply for other positions within the company.

BioWare's organizational structure has undergone numerous changes in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures during the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, most recently director Corinne Busche. The current employee count at BioWare remains undisclosed. While EA declined to provide specific numbers regarding the impact of the restructuring, a spokesperson confirmed that the studio is now fully focused on Mass Effect, possessing the necessary personnel for the current development stage.

The new Mass Effect title, announced four years ago, is still in its early stages. BioWare's current strategy prioritizes a single game at a time. Some developers previously working on Mass Effect were temporarily assigned to Dragon Age to ensure its completion and are now returning to the Mass Effect project. Veteran developers Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley are leading the Mass Effect development.

This announcement follows EA's recent revelation that Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed player targets by approximately 50%, leading to a reduction in the company's fiscal year guidance. EA's Q3 earnings call is scheduled for February 4.