BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to under 100 employees following recent layoffs and departures. This reduction comes after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a company restructure prioritizing the next Mass Effect game. Two years ago, during The Veilguard's peak production, BioWare employed over 200 people, according to Bloomberg.
Last week's EA restructuring focused BioWare solely on Mass Effect 5, resulting in some The Veilguard staff transferring to other EA studios. For example, The Veilguard's Creative Director, John Epler, moved to Full Circle to work on the Skate game, and Senior Writer Sheryl Chee joined Motive's Iron Man project. These moves, initially described as temporary assignments, are now permanent relocations, meaning these individuals are no longer considered BioWare employees.
Additionally, several BioWare developers announced layoffs on social media, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm. These departures follow 2023 layoffs and the departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche last month.
EA's response to inquiries about the impact of these changes remained vague, stating the studio is appropriately staffed for the current phase of Mass Effect development, but declining to provide specific numbers. Bloomberg estimates approximately two dozen layoffs. BioWare staff reportedly view the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a significant achievement, given the challenges presented by EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed. IGN has previously documented The Veilguard's development difficulties, including layoffs and the departure of key personnel.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard's underperformance, with only 1.5 million players engaged during the recent financial quarter—significantly below EA's projections—likely contributed to these decisions. Despite fan concerns, a former BioWare writer offered a message of hope, stating, “Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now.”
EA confirmed that a core team at BioWare, led by veterans of the original Mass Effect trilogy including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley, is developing the next Mass Effect game.
