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. This restructuring involves reassigning several developers to other projects within EA, allowing the studio to focus entirely on its upcoming Mass Effect game.

In a blog post, BioWare general manager Gary McKay explained that the studio is using the time between major development cycles to re-evaluate its operational structure. He stated that the current Mass Effect development phase doesn't require the entire studio's support. Many BioWare employees have been successfully transitioned to other suitable roles within EA. A smaller number of Dragon Age team members are facing potential layoffs, but are being offered the opportunity to apply for other positions within the company.

BioWare's organizational structure has undergone several changes in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and several high-profile departures, most recently the departure of director Corinne Busche. While the exact number of employees affected by the current restructuring remains undisclosed, EA confirmed that the studio is now appropriately staffed for the current phase of Mass Effect development. An EA spokesperson stated 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 of development. BioWare's current strategy prioritizes focusing on one game at a time. Some developers who previously worked on Mass Effect were temporarily assigned to Dragon Age to ensure its completion and are now returning to the Mass Effect project. Veteran 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 fell short of player targets by approximately 50%, contributing to a lowered fiscal year guidance. EA will discuss these results further during its Q3 earnings conference call on February 4.