BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to fewer than 100 employees following layoffs and departures in the wake of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's release and a company restructure prioritizing the next Mass Effect game. Two years ago, during the height of The Veilguard's development, BioWare employed over 200 people, according to Bloomberg.
Last week's EA restructure focused BioWare solely on Mass Effect 5, resulting in some The Veilguard staff transferring to other EA studios. For example, The Veilguard's creative director, John Epler, moved to Full Circle to work on the upcoming Skate game, and senior writer Sheryl Chee transitioned to Motive's Iron Man project. These moves followed EA's announcement that Dragon Age: The Veilguard underperformed, engaging only 1.5 million players—nearly 50% below projections—during the recent financial quarter.
Bloomberg reports that these initial staff "loans" have become permanent relocations, with affected employees no longer considered BioWare staff. However, other former employees have publicly confirmed layoffs, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm, all now seeking new opportunities. These recent departures follow 2023 layoffs and the departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche last month.
EA's response to IGN's inquiry regarding the impact of these changes—specifically the number of layoffs and remaining employees—remained vague, stating only that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current phase of Mass Effect development. Bloomberg estimates approximately two dozen layoffs. BioWare staff, according to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, consider the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard a remarkable feat given the challenges of imposed and then reversed live-service elements, as previously documented by IGN, including earlier layoffs and the departure of several project leads.
Concerns about the future of the Dragon Age franchise are mounting among fans, with one former BioWare writer offering a message of hope: "Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now."
Meanwhile, EA confirms that a core team at BioWare, led by veterans from the original Mass Effect trilogy—including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley—is developing the next Mass Effect game.
