EA to Close BioWare and Cancel Its Next Mass Effect Project

EA says it will close BioWare and its Edmonton workspace as it narrows its game portfolio. Bloomberg reports about 400 job cuts across EA, including roughly 50 at BioWare.

jajoy39

Oct 22, 2026 - 07:29

0 2

EA press screenshot from Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021), not the cancelled early-development project. Image: EA, via Windows Central.

EA to Close BioWare and Cancel Its Next Mass Effect Project

Electronic Arts says it will close BioWare and its Edmonton workspace after deciding not to continue early development of the next Mass Effect project. The decision ends work at the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age as EA concentrates investment on fewer simultaneous projects.

In a staff letter reproduced by Gematsu, executives Cam Weber and David Tinson said the company had reviewed its portfolio and would narrow its large-scale action-adventure slate. BioWare’s own statement confirmed that the studio is closing and early work on the next Mass Effect is ending.

Job reductions extend beyond BioWare

Bloomberg reported approximately 400 job cuts across EA, about 3% of its workforce, including roughly 50 at BioWare, according to a person familiar with the plans. Reuters also cited those figures. They are reported estimates rather than a headcount total specified in the staff letter.

EA says it will help affected employees explore other opportunities within the company. The announcement does not establish how many people will ultimately move to new internal roles.

Iron Man and Star Wars Jedi remain in development

EA says work will continue on Marvel’s Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game. The company is also moving skate. to a smaller, more focused team rather than announcing that the game itself is ending.

That makes the restructuring selective: some projects and teams are being reduced or discontinued while others retain investment. BioWare’s closure is especially significant because it removes a longstanding role-playing studio from that portfolio.

The cancelled Mass Effect project was still in early development. The closure statements do not provide a replacement project, a transfer plan for its work or a new release timetable. Earlier franchise artwork should not be mistaken for images of a finished version of the cancelled game.