BioWare layoffs continue as studio refocuses on Mass Effect

BioWare has undergone a new wave of restructuring and staff layoffs as the studio shifts its full focus on the next Mass Effect series entry. While some employees have been reassigned to other EA teams, others have found themselves completely out of work at BioWare.

In a short, vague studio update about the reductions, BioWare’s general manager Gary McKay reveals that the studio is reimagining how it works after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, stating that the team “no longer requires support from the full studio.” The update, while small, mirrors a similar update given by McKay in 2023 when BioWare eliminated approximately 50 roles at the company, with both updates emphasising the shift towards BioWare becoming a more agile, focused studio. When questioned about specifics of the current restructuring by IGN, EA responded vaguely, stating “While we’re not sharing numbers, the studio has the right number of people in the right roles to work on Mass Effect at this stage of development.”

Despite reassurances, shortly after McKay’s announcement many BioWare team members publicly confirmed their exit from BioWare via Bluesky. Narrative designer and lead writer Trick Weekes, editors Karin West-Weekes and Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm are among the group that have posted about seeking new opportunities, raising concerns about the full extent of the layoffs.

As BioWare continues to restructure, development on Mass Effect is now led by a “core team” of veterans from the original trilogy, including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others. However, with the consistent downsizing of the studio, concerns are growing about the long-term stability of one of gaming’s most storied RPG studios.