BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to under 100 employees following recent layoffs and departures. This significant reduction comes after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a company restructuring prioritizing the development of the next Mass Effect game.
Bloomberg reported BioWare employed over 200 individuals two years ago during The Veilguard's production. Last week's EA restructuring, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, resulted in some The Veilguard staff being transferred to other EA studios. According to Game Developer, Veilguard's creative director, John Epler, transitioned to Full Circle's Skate project, while senior writer Sheryl Chee moved to Motive's Iron Man development.
These personnel shifts followed EA's announcement of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's underperformance. EA stated that the game engaged 1.5 million players, significantly below their projections. Bloomberg clarifies that these initial "loans" to other EA studios have become permanent reassignments, severing the employees' ties with BioWare.
Further compounding the situation, several BioWare developers confirmed layoffs on social media, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm. This follows 2023 layoffs and the departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche last month.
While EA provided a vague response to IGN's inquiry about the exact number of affected employees, Bloomberg estimates approximately two dozen layoffs. BioWare staff reportedly expressed astonishment that The Veilguard was completed at all, given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed. IGN previously documented The Veilguard's development challenges, including prior layoffs and the departure of key personnel.
Amidst fan concerns about the future of the Dragon Age franchise, a former BioWare writer offered a message of hope, suggesting the series' fate is now in the hands of the fans.
Regarding Mass Effect, EA confirmed a core team at BioWare, led by veterans from the original trilogy (including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley), is developing the next installment.
