Choose Rich Live
Tech

EA shuts down BioWare and cancels next Mass Effect game in sweeping job cuts

Electronic Arts is closing BioWare after more than three decades and canceling the next Mass Effect title as part of a restructuring eliminating approximately 400 jobs.

BioWare's official closure statement announcing the end of the studio and early development on the next Mass Effect project, shown alongside artwork of an elf character.
Image: @VideoCardz

Electronic Arts is shutting down BioWare after more than 30 years and canceling the next Mass Effect game, the studio confirmed in a farewell statement. BioWare, famed for role-playing franchises including Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Anthem, announced that early development on the upcoming Mass Effect project is ending as it transitions to close.[2][4][6]

The studio's shuttering comes alongside company-wide layoffs at EA affecting around 400 employees, or roughly 3% of its total workforce, according to reporting by Bloomberg. Approximately 50 of those roles were tied directly to BioWare and the early-stage Mass Effect project.[1][7][9][10]

The restructuring marks EA's first major shakeup since going private in August 2026 through a $55 billion leveraged buyout involving Saudi Arabia's investment fund. EA acquired BioWare 19 years ago, but the publisher is now reorganizing resources following the multibillion-dollar transaction.[3][5][7][11]

Key facts

  • BioWare confirmed it is closing after more than 30 years and that early development on the next Mass Effect title has ended.
  • EA is laying off around 400 employees, representing about 3% of its total workforce.
  • Roughly 50 of the eliminated positions were based at BioWare on the Mass Effect project.
  • The studio closure and layoffs follow EA going private in August 2026 after a $55 billion leveraged buyout.
  • BioWare had been owned by Electronic Arts for 19 years prior to the shutdown.

Sources · 11 sources

  1. WC

    Wccftech@wccftechPost on X ·

    EA shuts down BioWare and cancels its 50-person Mass Effect project, as 350 more layoffs follow the $55 billion buyout. 🔗 https://t.co/dYoXDTHT6C https://t.co/3HSvexfBvT

    Open source
  2. VC

    VideoCardz.com@VideoCardzPost on X ·

    EA shuts down BioWare after 30 years, next Mass Effect game canceled 🔗https://t.co/zY7ZsZh01k https://t.co/rh0JA0kHEy

    Open source
  3. KO

    Kotaku@KotakuPost on X ·

    EA is canceling the new Mass Effect and shutting down BioWare, the storied RPG studio it acquired 19 years ago. It's the first massive change after Saudi Arabia took EA private in the biggest leveraged buyout in history. https://t.co/2KVTAhsDIN

    Open source
  4. TH

    Tom's Hardware@tomshardwarePost on X ·

    EA is closing BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, after more than 30 years https://t.co/xW33ocf4K2

    Open source
  5. MA

    Mashable@mashablePost on X ·

    Say RIP to one of the greats, because another major gaming studio is shutting down. The shuttering of RPG-maker BioWare by EA comes not long after EA's sale to the Saudi PIF. https://t.co/Q6118IW95B

    Open source
  6. PO

    Polygon@PolygonPost on X ·

    BioWare Officially Shutting Down and New Mass Effect Canceled https://t.co/SM8oNeR1qj https://t.co/0JRCykmXoy

    Open source
  7. TE

    TechmemeArticle ·

    Source and leaked memo: EA plans to cut ~400 jobs, or ~3% of its total staff, and shut down BioWare; EA went private in August following a $55B leveraged buyout (Jason Schreier/Bloomberg) Jason Schreier / Bloomberg : Source and leaked memo: EA plans to cut ~400 jobs, or ~3% of its total staff, and shut down BioWare; EA went private in August following a $55B leveraged buyout — The next ‘Mass Effect’ will be canceled as part of the layoffs — Electronic Arts Inc. said it will lay off staff and shut down BioWare …

    Open source
  8. GI

    Gizmodo@GizmodoPost on X ·

    Electronic Arts Shuts Down 'Mass Effect' Maker BioWare, Axes 3% of Workforce https://t.co/xWt9XfUq5q

    Open source
  9. IG

    IGN@IGNPost on X ·

    Mass Effect is shutting down amid mass layoffs at Electronic Arts, which amount to 400 people losing their jobs. Roughly 50 of the roles were at BioWare. https://t.co/LRLUzxxWnP https://t.co/kWBZgfDOrI

    Open source
  10. TE

    Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·

    Source and leaked memo: EA plans to cut ~400 jobs, or ~3% of its total staff, and shut down BioWare; EA went private in August following a $55B leveraged buyout (@jasonschreier / Bloomberg) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)

    Open source
  11. MN

    Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·

    🇺🇸🇸🇦 EA is shutting down BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age. That means around 400 jobs gone, about 50 of them at BioWare, and the next Mass Effect game is dead before it really got going. It’s all part of EA tightening its belt after going private 2 months ago in a $55 billion buyout led by Saudi Arabia’s investment fund, a deal that left it sitting on about $18 billion in debt. So the money is now going to the safer bets, sports games, Apex Legends, Battlefield, Star Wars and Iron Man. The studio that made gamers cry over RPGs just got its own sad ending. Source: Bloomberg / Writer: Daniyal

    Open source