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

EA has announced a restructuring of BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age and Mass Effect, shifting developers to other EA projects and focusing solely on the upcoming Mass Effect game. In a blog post, general manager Gary McKay explained that this restructuring, occurring between development cycles, allows BioWare to "reimagine how we work." He stated that the full studio's support wasn't needed for the current phase of Mass Effect development and that many employees have transitioned to other suitable roles within EA.

While EA hasn't disclosed specific numbers, some Dragon Age team members have been laid off, with the option to apply for other internal positions. BioWare has undergone several structural changes in recent years, including layoffs in 2023 and high-profile departures, most recently director Corinne Busche.

EA confirmed that BioWare's priority shifted from Dragon Age to Mass Effect following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The company maintains that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current stage of Mass Effect's development. This new Mass Effect title, announced four years ago, remains in early development. BioWare's strategy now prioritizes one game at a time, with some developers who previously assisted with Dragon Age returning to Mass Effect development. Veteran developers Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley are leading the Mass Effect project.

This announcement follows EA's recent revelation that Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed player targets by almost 50%, contributing to a lowered fiscal year guidance, alongside underperformance from EA Sports FC 25. EA will discuss these results further in its Q3 earnings call on February 4.