Mass Effect and Dragon Age developer BioWare is closing after more than 30 years, and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.
The studio announced the news in a statement on social media, describing BioWare as “more than a studio” and a home for storytellers and developers.
It lists Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect and Anthem among its games.
“There is nothing easy about writing those words,” it said. “Our focus right now is on our incredibly talented team who put their hearts into these games, and supporting one another through this transition.”
Bloomberg reports that EA will cut about 400 jobs, roughly 3% of its staff, with around 50 of those at BioWare, citing a person familiar with the company’s plans.
In a staff letter seen by Bloomberg, EA chief operating officer David Tinson and chief studios officer Cam Weber wrote that “over the past several months, we’ve taken a hard look at our business” and that EA will cut some projects, including the next Mass Effect game, which was in early development at BioWare.
The closure comes less than three months after EA completed its acquisition by PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners on August 4.
BioWare’s most recent game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, missed sales expectations, which Bloomberg says led EA to gut the studio last year.
The letter reportedly says EA will continue working on Apex Legends, Battlefield, the next Star Wars Jedi game, and a new Iron Man game, and that it will continue developing skate but downsize the team behind it. The letter also says EA is cancelling a planned Sims game, code-named Project Lotus.
Here’s the full statement:
For more than 30 years, BioWare has been more than a studio. It has been a home for storytellers, developers, and the players who brought our worlds to life.
Baldur’s Gate. Neverwinter Nights. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Dragon Age. Mass Effect. Anthem.
Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.
There is nothing easy about writing those words. Our focus right now is on our incredibly talented team who put their hearts into these games, and supporting one another through this transition.
What generations of BioWare built together is something to celebrate and remember. These games became so much more because you played them, debated your choices, fell in love with the characters, and made these worlds your own.
From all of us at BioWare, thank you for being the most meaningful part of our story.