EA Shuttering BioWare, Halting Next Mass Effect Project

Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed plans to shut down BioWare and its Edmonton studio, a decision that also brings development of the next Mass Effect title to an end.

The company communicated the move in a letter to staff, stating its decision not to proceed with the project that was in early development. BioWare's 31-year history includes the creation of numerous well-regarded franchises, such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur's Gate. EA, which acquired BioWare in 2008, has described the studio as a "legendary studio."

The cancellation of the next Mass Effect game marks a significant setback for a project that was publicly announced in November 2020 and followed by a teaser trailer the subsequent December. The studio's subsequent activity has been limited, with the release of the Mass Effect Legendary Edition remaster in 2021 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024. The letter to employees did not elaborate on the reasons for the studio's closure, though it did outline EA's future strategic priorities.

EA's communication pivoted to three main objectives: "Deepen Our Core," "Expand Our Reach," and "Transform Our Business." The company cited Battlefield 6 as a "great success" and detailed its focus on other areas, including new modes for Apex Legends, Marvel's Iron Man, and the subsequent Star Wars Jedi game. Under its EA Sports division, the company is developing "Project Gridiron," an open-world social experience from its American football team, with a Fight Night revival in pre-production. The company also reaffirmed its intent to "prioritize [its] efforts on 'Project Evergreen'" for The Sims.

Regarding the staff at the closing studio, EA stated that those affected will receive support "in exploring other opportunities within EA." The company did not specify how many jobs were impacted by the decision. Notably, neither the Mass Effect nor the Dragon Age series has been declared defunct, leaving their future open.

The reception of BioWare's most recent release may have been a contributing factor. EA previously reported that Dragon Age: The Veilguard engaged approximately 1.5 million players during a quarter, a figure that was "down nearly 50% from the company's expectations." While EA did not link this performance to the studio's closure, the timing coincides with earlier statements from BioWare general manager Gary McKay, who said in 2024 that only a "core team" was working on the next Mass Effect title and did not "require support from the full studio."

The closure is part of a broader pattern within the industry, which has seen widespread job reductions. For instance, in July, Microsoft announced 3,200 job cuts to its Xbox division, citing low margins as a reason for the reductions.

EA has not provided release schedules for its major titles. The company is scheduled to discuss its direction and future work with staff at its Global Town Hall in November. For now, the company appears to be concentrating its resources on its core franchises.