EA Shuttering BioWare: Future Franchise Entries in Doubt
The studio responsible for Mass Effect and Dragon Age is being dissolved by its parent company, ending a decades-long history.
By Kavya Kapoor ·
Electronic Arts is ending its operation of BioWare and its Edmonton studio, a move that immediately halts the early development of the next Mass Effect title. While the company has not explicitly declared the Mass Effect or Dragon Age series dead, the closure of the studio responsible for their creation places the future of those franchises in a precarious position. EA confirmed the shutdown in a letter to employees, stating it will not proceed with the work currently underway for the next entry in the Mass Effect franchise.
The decision brings to a close a 31-year run for a studio known for creating numerous titles, including Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur's Gate. Electronic Arts acquired BioWare in 2008, and the parent company itself transitioned to private ownership in August. Following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024, the studio had been largely quiet regarding new projects.
Electronic Arts is now redirecting its resources toward other priorities, including deepening its core franchises and expanding its reach. The company identified specific projects as central to this strategy, such as Apex Legends modes, Marvel's Iron Man, and the next Star Wars Jedi game. Additionally, EA Sports is developing a social-first, open-world experience titled Project Gridiron, while a Fight Night revival is currently in pre-production.
The letter to employees did not specify how many jobs would be lost in the closure, though it noted that affected staff would be supported in finding other opportunities within the company. EA has not released any release dates for its upcoming major titles. Instead, the company plans to discuss its future direction and the work ahead with its staff during a Global Town Hall scheduled for November.
While EA did not explicitly link the closure to the performance of BioWare's recent projects, the reception of Dragon Age: The Veilguard may have played a role. Early in 2025, EA reported that the game engaged roughly 1.5 million players during a single quarter, a figure the company described as down nearly 50% from its expectations. Earlier in 2025, BioWare general manager Gary McKay indicated that only a core team was required for the next Mass Effect game, noting that he did not require support from the full studio.
This restructuring aligns with broader industry trends regarding workforce reductions. For example, Microsoft announced job cuts for 3,200 Xbox positions in July, citing low margins. Electronic Arts is currently focusing its efforts on titles such as Battlefield 6, which it described as a great success, as well as Project Evergreen.
Source: Tom's Hardware
