BioWare is closing after more than 30 years, and the next Mass Effect is cancelled
EA is shutting the Edmonton studio behind Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and ending early work on the next Mass Effect.
BioWare is closing. The studio announced it on X on October 21, 2026, in a statement that also confirmed early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.
"Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending."
In a memo to staff, EA executives Cam Weber and David Tinson said a small team at BioWare had been working on early development for Mass Effect. "We've made the decision not to move forward with this development, which means we're closing the studio and our Edmonton workspace," they wrote, according to GamesBeat. The memo calls BioWare "a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre" and says EA will support affected staff in looking for other roles inside the company.
EA did not say how many people lost their jobs. GamesBeat and Bloomberg report about 400 layoffs across the company. The same memo says Respawn and DICE will work together on a future project. The cuts come months after a group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund took over EA in a $55 billion deal.
Three decades of role-playing games
BioWare was founded in Edmonton in 1995 and bought by EA in 2007. Its farewell lists the games it is known for: Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect and Anthem. Its last release was Dragon Age: The Veilguard in October 2024.
31 October 2024
Select from different races and combat classes, customize your appearance, choose your character’s backstory and begin your journey as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero.
Select from three classes (Warrior, Mage, and Rogue), each with two distinct weapon types and unique abilities you can select between mid-combat. Experience new strategic depth as you combine fast-paced attacks, parries, and dodges with the companion ability wheel to exploit enemy weaknesses and seize victory with devastating combat combos.
The Veilguard contains several different factions, any of these… could prove to be important ally during the story. Your faction choice will influence Rook's backstory, conversation options and more.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
AAA
PC
PS5
Series X|S
Role-playing (RPG)
Strategy
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