EA Shuts Down BioWare After 31 Years, Cancels Next Mass Effect Title

Electronic Arts is closing BioWare. The company confirmed the shutdown in a letter to employees on October 22, 2026. The decision marks the end for the studio after 31 years of operation. EA also stated that it will not continue development on the next Mass Effect game.

BioWare operated for three decades creating role-playing games. The studio produced Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. It also released Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate. EA acquired the developer in 2008. EA itself went private in August 2026.

A small team had started work on the next Mass Effect game. EA described the group as a core team. The company decided not to move forward with that development. The new Mass Effect title was first announced in November 2020. EA released a trailer for the project that December.

The studio released Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024. EA reported that the game engaged about 1.5 million players in a quarter. That figure fell nearly 50% short of the company's expectations. EA did not say if this result influenced the decision to close the studio.

EA is shifting resources to other projects. The company named three priorities: Deepen Our Core, Expand Our Reach, and Transform Our Business. Battlefield 6 is described as a success. Work continues on Apex Legends modes. Development is also proceeding on Marvel's Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game.

The company also plans to build a Fight Night revival. That project is in pre-production. EA is creating a social-first, open-world experience called Project Gridiron. The company will prioritize work on Project Evergreen for The Sims.

EA did not provide a number for the job losses. The company said it will help affected staff find other roles. Neither the Mass Effect nor the Dragon Age series has been canceled. The studio's past games were not addressed in the letter.

The closure follows a trend of job cuts in the industry. Microsoft announced 3,200 Xbox job cuts in July. Microsoft cited low margins for those layoffs.

EA plans to discuss its direction at a Global Town Hall in November. The meeting is scheduled for next month. The company will outline plans for its work ahead. The future of BioWare's franchises remains unclear.