Game Development: EA Shuts Down BioWare and Cancels Next Mass Effect

For gamers in New England and beyond, the closure of BioWare means the next installment of the Mass Effect series will not be developed as previously planned. Electronic Arts (EA) has informed its staff that the studio behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is shutting down after 31 years. Consequently, the early development work on the next Mass Effect game has been canceled, halting the project indefinitely. EA is instead prioritizing its efforts on other titles, including Battlefield 6, Marvel’s Iron Man, and a social-first open-world experience titled Project Gridiron.

BioWare's history spans over three decades, during which it developed numerous popular franchises, including Neverwinter Nights and Baldur’s Gate. The studio was acquired by EA in 2008, a move that preceded recent shifts in corporate strategy, including EA itself going private in August. While the next Mass Effect game was first announced in November 2020, the studio's recent output has been limited, with the Mass Effect Legendary Edition remaster released in 2021 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024.

The reception of Dragon Age: The Veilguard may have influenced the decision to close the studio. EA described the game’s engagement early last year as reaching only about 1.5 million players during the quarter, which was down nearly 50% from the company’s expectations. While EA did not explicitly cite this as the reason, the company’s focus has shifted toward deepening its core franchises. BioWare general manager Gary McKay had previously noted that only a core team was working on the next Mass Effect game and did not require support from the full studio.

In a letter to employees, EA described BioWare as a legendary studio but stated it made the decision not to move forward with the development of the next Mass Effect game. The company is now focusing on three priorities: deepening its core, expanding its reach, and transforming its business. This includes a Fight Night revival currently in pre-production and prioritizing efforts on Project Evergreen for The Sims. EA did not provide a job count for the closure but stated that impacted employees would be supported in exploring other opportunities within EA.

Neither the Mass Effect nor the Dragon Age series was declared dead by the company. The studio's released games were also not mentioned in the communications regarding the closure. EA did not reveal any dates for major titles currently in development. The company plans to discuss its direction and the work ahead with staff at its Global Town Hall in November.