BioWare Shifts Staff for Mass Effect 5 Development

EA has announced a significant restructuring at BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age and Mass Effect, shifting focus entirely to the upcoming Mass Effect game. In a blog post, BioWare's general manager Gary McKay explained that the studio is "taking this opportunity between full development cycles to reimagine how we work at BioWare." He noted that, given the current stage of development, the full studio's support is not required for the Mass Effect project. As a result, EA has been matching many BioWare developers with other roles within the company, while a smaller number of Dragon Age team members are facing termination but are being given the opportunity to apply for other positions at EA.

BioWare has experienced multiple structural changes in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures during the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The most recent departure was director Corinne Busche last week. The exact number of employees currently at BioWare remains unclear. When asked for specifics, EA did not provide detailed numbers but stated through a spokesperson that the studio's priority was Dragon Age until its completion, and now the full focus is on Mass Effect. The spokesperson added that the studio has "the right number of people in the right roles" for the current stage of Mass Effect's development.

The new Mass Effect game, announced four years ago, is still in its early stages. BioWare's strategy is to concentrate on one game at a time, with some developers previously moved from Mass Effect to Dragon Age now returning to their original project. The development of Mass Effect is being led by series veterans including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley.

This restructuring news follows EA's announcement that Dragon Age: The Veilguard fell short of player targets by nearly 50%, prompting EA to adjust its fiscal year guidance. This adjustment was also influenced by weaker-than-expected performance from EA Sports FC 25. EA is scheduled to discuss its Q3 earnings on February 4.