The move will cut around 400 jobs and close BioWare studios after the gaming major cancelled early development of a new Mass Effect game. The changes affect about 3% of EA’s global workforce as the video game publisher shifts resources toward franchises and projects it considers important for future growth. Electronic Arts (EA) is restructuring its studio business.
The company described Battlefield 6 as a success and said it would use lessons from the game’s launch and live-service operations to guide future projects. The publisher also plans to bring together its Respawn and DICE studios to collaborate on a future project.
The decision will close the studio and its Edmonton workspace in Canada. “BioWare is a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre, and we do not take this decision lightly,” Weber and Tinson said in their memo shared by Variety BioWare also addressed the closure in a social media post, reflecting on its more than three decades of game development. “For more than 30 years, BioWare has been more than a studio. Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing, and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending,” the memo added. The studio said it would focus on supporting employees through the transition. EA has also said it will help affected employees explore other opportunities within the company. EA plans to continue investing in its shooter franchises, including Battlefield and Apex Legends. The memo did not name the game. EA said it would continue investing heavily in Apex Legends over the next few years, with plans to introduce new multiplayer gameplay modes and other experiences. In its action-adventure portfolio, EA remains committed to the upcoming Marvel’s Iron Man game and the next Star Wars Jedi title. The company said the changes were intended to improve long-term player engagement and support a more sustainable business. The publisher is also planning new projects within its EA Sports division. These include Project Gridiron, a social-first open-world experience centred on American football, and the return of Fight Night, currently in pre-production. EA said it would share more details about the upcoming sports projects over the next few months.
In a memo to employees, EA executives Cam Weber, president and chief studios officer, and David Tinson, president and COO, outlined the changes across its games portfolio. EA plans to keep investing in Battlefield, Apex Legends, Marvel’s Iron Man, and the next Star Wars Jedi game, along with changes to its sports and lifestyle titles. EA has decided not to proceed with early development of the next Mass Effect title, which a small BioWare team was handling While BioWare is shutting down. 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. However, the company plans to focus on fewer large-scale projects at once, allowing teams to concentrate resources on individual releases. EA is also changing its approach to its lifestyle games, including The Sims and Skate. For The Sims, the company will prioritise Project Evergreen, giving the team more time to develop the game in line with its intended vision. As part of this decision, EA is pausing development on Project Lotus. For Skate, EA plans to reduce the studio size and focus its resources on a clearer development roadmap.
They cited growing competition for players’ time and attention, along with opportunities to expand into new markets, platforms, and business models. The executives said EA was concentrating its teams, technology, and investment on three priorities: strengthening existing franchises, expanding its reach, and transforming its business. The restructuring follows EA’s $55 billion take-private deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, which closed in August. EA last reported a workforce of around 14,500 employees, meaning the planned reductions would affect approximately 400 staff members. The company said the changes reflect its longer-term business strategy, but closing BioWare and cancelling early Mass Effect development mark a major shift for the studio and its employees. You use AI every day.
In the memo, Weber and Tinson said the company had reviewed its operations, investments and priorities amid changes in the gaming industry. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.