Mass Effect 5: BioWare Doesn't 'Require Support From the Full Studio', EA Moves Some Staff to Other Teams

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a restructuring of BioWare, the studio behind the Dragon Age and Mass Effect franchises. The restructuring involves reassigning several developers to other EA projects, allowing BioWare to concentrate solely on its upcoming Mass Effect game.

In a blog post, BioWare general manager Gary McKay explained that this restructuring, occurring between major development cycles, aims to redefine BioWare's operational structure. He stated that the full studio's support isn't currently needed for the Mass Effect project and that many employees have been successfully placed in suitable roles within other EA teams.

While EA hasn't disclosed specific numbers, it's understood that an unspecified number of BioWare developers have transitioned to other roles within EA. A smaller number of Dragon Age team members face potential job termination, with the option to apply for other positions within the company.

BioWare's structure has undergone several changes in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and notable departures, most recently the departure of director Corinne Busche. The current workforce size at BioWare remains undisclosed. EA declined to provide specifics regarding the number of employees affected by the restructuring but confirmed that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current phase of Mass Effect development. Their statement emphasized that the studio’s priority shifted from Dragon Age to Mass Effect following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

The new Mass Effect game, announced four years ago, is still in its early stages. BioWare's current strategy prioritizes focusing on one 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 series 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%, contributing to a reduction in their fiscal year guidance. EA will discuss this further during their Q3 earnings call on February 4th.