Electronic Arts to Shutter BioWare and Edmonton Studio, Cancelling Next Mass Effect Project

Electronic Arts will shut down BioWare and its Edmonton studio, ending a 31-year run for the developer behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The closure also brings an immediate halt to early development work on the next installment in the Mass Effect franchise.

In a communication to staff, EA characterized BioWare as a legendary studio but confirmed it decided not to move forward with the current development phase for the next Mass Effect title, which had previously been announced in 2020. BioWare was acquired by EA in 2008, and the parent company transitioned to private ownership in August. While EA has not declared the Mass Effect or Dragon Age series to be dead, no future projects for these franchises have been committed to.

EA is currently prioritizing three specific initiatives: deepening its core offerings, expanding its reach, and transforming its business operations. The company is focusing resources on Battlefield 6, which it described as a great success, alongside Apex Legends modes, Marvel’s Iron Man, and the next Star Wars Jedi game. Additional projects include a social-first open-world experience under EA Sports, a Fight Night revival currently in pre-production, and efforts regarding 'Project Evergreen' for The Sims.

Regarding the workforce, EA stated that those impacted will be supported in exploring other opportunities within the organization. No specific job count or timeline for the studio's closure has been released. EA has not directly attributed the shutdown to the performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, though the game engaged approximately 1.5 million players in a quarter early last year, a figure nearly 50% below company expectations. Previously, BioWare general manager Gary McKay noted that only a core team was required to work on the next Mass Effect game, with other colleagues reassigned to different teams at EA.

The restructuring aligns with broader industry trends, such as Microsoft's reduction of 3,200 Xbox positions in July citing low margins. EA plans to discuss its future direction and upcoming work with staff during a Global Town Hall scheduled for November.