Home · Entertainment · Oct 22 archive
EA Shuts Down BioWare After 3 Decades
· Confirmed
In Short: Electronic Arts (EA) announced Wednesday that it is shutting down BioWare, the Edmonton-based studio behind iconic franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, after more than three decades of game development.
The closure will result in the loss of approximately 400 jobs across EA's studios, with BioWare's Edmonton location being the most affected.
BioWare's last two releases did not meet sales expectations, leading EA to make this decision.
Executive producer Casey Hudson, who had returned to BioWare in 2017 after leaving in 2014, expressed the difficulty of the decision in a social media post: 'There is nothing easy about writing these words.'
Fans and industry insiders have long been concerned about the impact of EA's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners on the studio's creative freedom.
EA's COO David Tinson and Chief Studios Officer Cam Weber sent a letter to staff explaining that the company had taken a 'hard look at our business' and decided to cut projects, including the next Mass Effect.
BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk had previously commented on the challenges of working for EA, saying, 'EA gives you enough rope to hang yourself,' a sentiment that seems to have come to fruition.
The studio's last two releases, however, did not meet sales expectations, leading EA to make this decision.
BioWare's closure marks the end of an era for one of gaming's most revered studios, with the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game being a particularly devastating blow to fans.
EA executives have also revealed future development plans, though details remain scarce.
The decision to shut down BioWare and cut 400 jobs is part of EA's broader restructuring efforts.
Despite the studio's storied history and contributions to the gaming industry, the changing market dynamics and internal pressures have led to this difficult decision.
BioWare's legacy, however, will continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans and the industry at large.
Background
BioWare, the studio behind iconic franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, is shutting down after more than three decades.
What's confirmed
- What generations of BioWare built together is something to celebrate and remember.
- BioWare is shutting down and the next Mass Effect game is canceled, EA has announced.
- "There is nothing easy about writing these words."
What's still developing
- Unfortunately, this decision is not as surprising as one might expect when talking about shutting down such a prominent studio.
- Back then, the studio managed, but not anymore, it seems.
- After going private in August, Electronic Arts (EA) is cutting about 3% of its staff and shutting down video game developer BioWare.
- Electronic Arts (EA) is cutting 400 jobs and shutting down the legendary studio BioWare.
- And just like that, another beloved gaming studio is closing its doors for good.
- About 50 people were working at BioWare, which was acquired in 2007.
- Electronic Arts is reportedly cutting about 400 jobs, or around 3 percent of its workforce, as it closes BioWare and shifts investment toward a smaller number of large-scale games.
- Electronic Arts confirmed on October 21, 2026 that it is shutting down BioWare, the Edmonton-based studio behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and canceling early development on the next Mass Effect project.
- Electronic Arts confirmed on October 21, 2026, that it is closing BioWare, ending more than 30 years of game development under one of the industry’s most recognized studio names.
- Electronic Arts has officially announced the permanent closure of BioWare, bringing an end to more than three decades of game development.
- Since the next installment was first announced in 2020, fans have spent years eagerly anticipating the franchise's return, breaking down every teaser and theorizing about what's in store for the next installment.
- EA confirms BioWare is closing, 2 months after the completion of its Saudi Arabia sale Electronic Arts is closing historic Dragon Age studio BioWare and canceling the next Mass Effect game.