BioWare, the renowned game development studio, has reportedly shrunk to fewer than 100 employees following layoffs and staff departures after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Just two years ago, when Dragon Age: The Veilguard was deep in production, BioWare boasted over 200 staff members, according to Bloomberg.
In a significant shift, EA restructured BioWare last week to concentrate solely on Mass Effect 5. This move resulted in some employees who had worked on Dragon Age: The Veilguard being reassigned to other EA projects. For instance, John Epler, the creative director of Veilguard, was transferred to work on Full Circle's upcoming skateboarding game Skate, while senior writer Sheryl Chee moved to Motive to work on Iron Man.
The restructuring decision came after EA disclosed that Dragon Age: The Veilguard had not met its performance expectations. EA reported that the game engaged 1.5 million players during its recent financial quarter, a figure that fell nearly 50% short of projections.
Bloomberg noted that these staff reassignments to other studios are now permanent, and those working elsewhere within EA are no longer considered BioWare employees on temporary assignment. Meanwhile, several BioWare developers, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer on Dragon Age: The Veilguard Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm, announced on social media that they had been laid off and were seeking new opportunities.
This latest round of layoffs follows previous cuts in 2023, and the recent departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche. When asked by IGN for details on the number of affected employees, EA responded vaguely, stating:
"The studio's priority was Dragon Age. During this time there were people continuing to build the vision for the next Mass Effect. Now that The Veilguard has shipped, the studio's full focus is Mass Effect.
"While we're not sharing numbers, the studio has the right number of people in the right roles to work on Mass Effect at this stage of development."
Bloomberg reported that approximately two dozen BioWare employees were affected by the layoffs. Jason Schreier, the author of the Bloomberg report, mentioned that BioWare staff considered it a "miracle" that Dragon Age: The Veilguard was released as a complete game, especially given EA's fluctuating directives regarding live-service elements.
Amidst concerns from Dragon Age fans about the franchise's future, a former BioWare writer reassured fans, saying, “Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now.”
On a more positive note, EA confirmed that a "core team" at BioWare, led by veterans from the original Mass Effect trilogy including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others, is currently developing the next Mass Effect game.
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