BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to under 100 employees following recent layoffs and departures. This significant reduction comes after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a restructuring that prioritizes the development of the next Mass Effect game.
Two years ago, during the height of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's production, BioWare employed over 200 people. Last week's EA restructuring, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, resulted in some Veilguard staff being transferred to other EA studios. This included creative director John Epler moving to Full Circle's Skate project, and senior writer Sheryl Chee joining Motive's Iron Man team. These moves, initially described as temporary assignments, are now permanent relocations.
EA's announcement that Dragon Age: The Veilguard underperformed, engaging only 1.5 million players—nearly 50% below projections—further fueled the staff reductions. While EA refrained from providing specific numbers, Bloomberg reported approximately two dozen layoffs. Several BioWare developers confirmed their departures 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 previous layoffs in 2023 and the departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche last month.
Despite EA's vague statement regarding staffing levels, BioWare employees reportedly view the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a remarkable achievement, given the challenges posed by EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed. The game's troubled development, including previous layoffs and departures of key personnel, has been previously documented.
While concerns mount among Dragon Age fans, a former BioWare writer offered a message of hope: “Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now.” Meanwhile, EA confirmed that a core team at BioWare, led by veterans from the original Mass Effect trilogy (including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley), is developing the next Mass Effect game.
