Electronic Arts, a video game publisher, has announced the closure of the renowned game development studio BioWare in Edmonton after over thirty years. This decision follows reports by Bloomberg indicating that Electronic Arts is laying off 400 employees, with around 50 of them being from BioWare. The studio also confirmed the cancellation of the upcoming fifth installment of the popular Mass Effect series.
Founded in 1995, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2007. The closure was met with sadness, with BioWare co-founder Trent Oster expressing his sentiments on CBC Radio. The California-based Electronic Arts, known for titles like Battlefield and The Sims, recently completed a sale of its business worth $55 billion to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, investment firm Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners, which is associated with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Electronic Arts has not responded immediately to inquiries about the layoffs. BioWare, in a social media post, celebrated the legacy of its games and thanked its players for their support over the years. The studio has been recognized for its immersive role-playing adventures such as Baldur’s Gate, Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Mass Effect.
Although BioWare had a successful history, its attempt to venture into multiplayer shooters with 2019’s Anthem deviated from its strength in single-player storytelling. With mixed reviews for recent releases like 2017’s Mass Effect: Andromeda and 2024’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the studio faced challenges in meeting fan expectations. A new Mass Effect installment was in progress before the studio’s closure was announced.
The article also highlighted the growth BioWare experienced over the years, transitioning from a small team to a prominent player in the industry. The studio’s expansion was a remarkable journey according to Oster, who is now the CEO of gaming company Beamdog.
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