BioWare confirms downsizing as it focuses on Mass Effect 5, staff moved to other EA positions

BioWare has confirmed that since the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard in October, "many" of its employees have left the studios to work on other EA teams, as Mass Effect does not yet require "support from the full studio."

The details:

• In a new statement posted on its website, general manager Gary McKay shared that the studio was now "taking this opportunity between full development cycles to reimagine how we work at BioWare" and going through restructuring. An unspecified number of BioWare employees have already transferred to other positions within parent company EA.

• However, according to an IGN report, some positions have been completely terminated and employees have instead been given the opportunity to apply for other EA positions internally. BioWare declined to comment on the claims, but a spokesperson stated that the studio "has the right number of people in the right roles to work on Mass Effect at this stage of development."

• Among those leaving BioWare's team includes Dragon Age and Mass Effect veteran writer Trick Weekes, who announced on Bluesky that they're now looking for work after 20 years at the studio.

• With the changes, BioWare is fully focused on developing the next Mass Effect, which will be led by trilogy veterans Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley. The game was announced to be in early development in 2020, and since then, Gamble has confirmed that it will feature realistic graphics rather than the controversial stylized visuals of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

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