Electronic Arts announced the closure of the 31-year-old roleplaying studio as part of 400 job cuts across the company. The decision halts development on Mass Effect 5 following a shift in corporate priorities.
Video game publisher Electronic Arts is closing veteran studio BioWare and halting work on the next title in the Mass Effect series, according to an EA announcement on Wednesday reported by CNET. The decision comes alongside roughly 400 job cuts across the publisher, with about 50 of those layoffs taking place at BioWare, based on reporting from Bloomberg cited by both outlets.
Studio closure and project cancellations
BioWare confirmed the shutdown in a public statement covered by TechRadar, noting that work on the sci-fi franchise is finished. “Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing, and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending,” the studio stated. The team said its immediate attention is focused on helping staff members through the transition.
The cancellation ends work on Mass Effect 5, a game that was in early development and hadn’t moved forward after being first teased on Nov. 7, 2020, during the franchise’s annual community event known as N7 Day. Michael Gamble, an executive producer at BioWare and project director for the upcoming Mass Effect title, took to social media to thank players for their backing and offered to vouch for colleagues seeking new employment across the industry.
BioWare’s history and recent hurdles
BioWare operated for 31 years, building a strong reputation for narrative roleplaying games that gave players moral choices and deep companion characters. The developer established its profile with Baldur’s Gate in 1998, followed by Baldur’s Gate 2, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. It later introduced original worlds through Jade Empire in 2005, Mass Effect in 2007, and Dragon Age: Origins in 2009. The studio also gained a loyal following for its queer representation and romance options.
Recent years proved more challenging for the developer. Mass Effect 3 generated player pushback over its 2012 conclusion, while Mass Effect: Andromeda received a lukewarm reception in 2017. Although Dragon Age: Inquisition succeeded in 2014, its follow-up, the 2024 release Dragon Age: The Veilguard, fell short of sales goals set by EA despite positive critical reviews. In between those projects, BioWare released the live-service action title Anthem in 2019, but stopped updates in 2021 after a troubled launch. Over that decade, key creative leaders who had shaped BioWare’s famous titles departed the studio.
New ownership and shifting corporate goals
The closure follows major corporate shifts at EA. In August, EA completed a $55 billion buyout by an investment group made up of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, an entity led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. Analysts had earlier shared concerns with Polygon about EA franchises after the buyout plan surfaced in September 2025.
In its post explaining the adjustments, EA indicated it will concentrate on specific primary franchises, pointing to sports releases like EA Sports FC and Madden NFL alongside action projects such as Battlefield 6, Marvel’s Iron Man, Skate, The Sims, and a sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Describing its strategy for sports and interactive entertainment, EA said, “These will be disciplined investments that only scale when they demonstrate real potential.” The publisher’s update didn’t mention any other roleplaying games.
Industry figures reflect on the studio
News of the shutdown drew wide reaction from game creators who credited BioWare with shaping the modern roleplaying genre. Larian Studios chief executive Swen Vincke remarked that BioWare had demonstrated how to turn roleplaying games into major industry successes. Former BioWare general manager Casey Hudson, who directed the Mass Effect trilogy and Knights of the Old Republic, expressed sadness for the staff and fans while honoring founders Greg and Ray.
Other industry leaders also offered tributes. CD Projekt Red’s joint chief executive recalled that BioWare had assisted the company during its early days by licensing game engine technology for the first Witcher title. Geoff Keighley, founder of The Game Awards, expressed sorrow over the closure, while Cyberpunk 2 associate game director Pawel Sasko explained that playing early Baldur’s Gate games had inspired his own game development career.
