BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to under 100 employees following recent layoffs and departures, primarily stemming from the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a company restructuring to prioritize the next Mass Effect title.
Bloomberg reported BioWare employed over 200 individuals two years prior, during The Veilguard's peak development. Last week's EA-led restructuring, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, resulted in some The Veilguard team members transferring to other EA studios. According to Game Developer, this included creative director John Epler moving to Full Circle's Skate project and senior writer Sheryl Chee joining Motive's Iron Man team.
This decision followed EA's announcement of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's underperformance, falling nearly 50% short of projected player engagement figures (EA reported 1.5 million players). Bloomberg clarifies that initial staff "loans" to other studios are now permanent transfers, severing their BioWare affiliation. Further, several BioWare developers publicly confirmed 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 recent exit of The Veilguard director Corinne Busche.
While EA offered a vague response to IGN's inquiry regarding specific numbers affected, Bloomberg estimates approximately two dozen layoffs. BioWare staff, according to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, reportedly consider The Veilguard's completion a remarkable feat given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed. IGN has previously documented The Veilguard's development challenges, including earlier layoffs and the departure of key personnel.
Amidst fan concerns for the future of the Dragon Age franchise, a former BioWare writer offered a message of hope, suggesting the series' future is not entirely bleak.
Regarding Mass Effect, EA confirmed a core BioWare team, led by veterans from the original trilogy (including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley), is developing the next installment.
