EA closes BioWare, cancels early Mass Effect work and cuts about 400 jobs
Electronic Arts is closing BioWare and ending early development on the next Mass Effect game, the studio said in a statement. Bloomberg reported that EA’s wider restructuring will eliminate about 400 jobs, roughly 3% of its workforce; around 50 are at BioWare. EA executives said the company will help affected employees explore other roles within EA.
Bottom line — BioWare’s closure ends more than 30 years of development, while EA plans to focus on fewer large-scale projects.
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EA’s memo linked the BioWare closure to its decision not to continue early work on a new Mass Effect game.
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The studio’s Edmonton office is also closing, according to Engadget.
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Bloomberg reported EA went private in August in a €47.3 billion buyout ($55 billion) and now carries about €15.5 billion in debt ($18 billion).
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Bloomberg said EA had told investors it planned to save up to €603 million ($700 million), partly by reducing research and development spending.
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EA is pausing work on The Sims project Project Lotus and reducing the team behind skate, according to the company memo.
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EA said Respawn and DICE will collaborate on a future project; Variety’s sources identified it as Star Wars: Battlefront 3.