BioWare Lays Off Dragon Age Developers for Mass Effect Focus

Key Dragon Age developers depart BioWare following Mass Effect 5 focus shift.

On January 29th, IGN reported that BioWare, in its complete transition to Mass Effect 5 development, had reassigned numerous developers to other EA projects. General manager Gary McKay explained this restructuring as an opportunity to "reimagine how we work" between development cycles, stating that the full studio's support wasn't currently required for Mass Effect 5. While many BioWare employees were successfully placed in suitable roles within EA, a smaller number of Dragon Age team members faced termination, with the option to apply for other internal positions.

This news prompted several high-profile BioWare departures. Editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer on Dragon Age: The Veilguard Trick Weekes, and editor Ryan Cormier publicly announced their job searches. Producer Jen Cheverie and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm also confirmed their exits. These departures follow 2023 layoffs and the recent departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche.

EA's response to inquiries regarding the number of affected employees remained vague, stating that the studio now has the appropriate personnel for the current Mass Effect development phase. They confirmed that the studio's full focus has shifted to Mass Effect 5 following the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which concluded last week with what appeared to be its final major update.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the first new entry in the franchise in a decade, underperformed significantly. BioWare confirmed the game failed to meet sales expectations by 50%, reaching only 1.5 million players instead of the projected three million. The absence of post-launch DLC, a stark contrast to previous Dragon Age titles, further disappointed fans. The game's troubled development, marked by layoffs and the departure of key personnel, has been previously documented.

Meanwhile, EA confirmed that a core team of Mass Effect veterans, including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others, are leading the development of the next Mass Effect game.