Electronic Arts (EA) is shutting down BioWare, the studio behind some of gaming’s most celebrated role-playing franchises, and ending early development on the next Mass Effect game. The move is part of a wider restructuring that will eliminate around 400 jobs, or roughly 3% of EA's workforce, according to Bloomberg.
BioWare bids farewell
In a social media post Wednesday, BioWare said, "Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending."
“There is nothing easy about writing those words. Our focus right now is on our incredibly talented team who put their hearts into these games, and supporting one another through this transition."
BioWare built its reputation with games such as Baldur’s Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age and Mass Effect. Its later release, Anthem, took the studio in a different direction.
EA will also close BioWare’s Edmonton workspace. According to reports, around 50 of the planned job cuts will affect BioWare employees.
{{/usCountry}}EA will also close BioWare’s Edmonton workspace. According to reports, around 50 of the planned job cuts will affect BioWare employees.
{{/usCountry}}Why EA is making the changes
In a memo to staff, Chief Studios Officer Cam Weber and COO David Tinson said the company reviewed its business over recent months.
“We’ve taken a hard look at our business, how we operate, and what it will take to lead in this next era of interactive entertainment."
They added that EA challenged assumptions and made deliberate choices “to deliver exceptional experiences for our players and to drive sustained growth.”
As part of that review, EA decided not to continue the next Mass Effect project, which was still in early development.
"BioWare is a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre, and we do not take this decision lightly.”
The decision comes about months after EA completed its $55 billion sale to a group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which took the company private and left it with significant debt.