Report Claims BioWare Staff Reassigned to Other EA Studios May Not Return

Recently, news broke about a significant downsizing at BioWare, leaving many employees uncertain about their future. Although the company previously mentioned moving some staff to other studios, it now appears these relocations are permanent, catching many by surprise.

Just a few days ago, BioWare communicated job cuts without using the word “layoffs,” creating confusion, especially since the key writers of Dragon Age: The Veilguard seem to be absent now. The announcement vaguely stated that they had been aligning their team members with other Electronic Arts (EA) roles that were compatible with their skills. However, Bloomberg’s latest report provides more clarity on the situation. While BioWare initially assured that these staff “loans” were temporary, sources reveal that the change seems indefinite.

Bloomberg further highlighted that for those who wish to return to BioWare, their only option is to reapply for future vacancies. It’s understandable that this news hasn’t been well-received among employees, who find themselves at studios they never intended to join. Some expressed their specific desire to work at BioWare to be involved with role-playing games, rather than being switched to teams focusing on action or sports genres.

This restructuring has effectively halved BioWare’s size—they’ve gone from a team of 200 down to just about 100 within a few years. The remaining crew is now channeling all their efforts into developing Mass Effect 5, hoping to rejuvenate the studio’s reputation after the underwhelming release of Anthem. Let’s hope this next installment delivers success for BioWare, long admired by many in the industry.