Today, EA has released a new announcement that was shared to employees detailing its next chapter. Unfortunately, this has led to layoffs and a studio closure. Around 400 jobs will be cut, about 3% of its total staff, including roughly 50 at BioWare, which is being shut down.
In its announcement, EA talks about its goals, its portfolio choices, and building the EA they believe in. With its portfolio, EA is “making deliberate choices to align talent and investments where we see the greatest opportunities for players and long-term growth.”
With shooters, EA will take what they learned with the launch of Battlefield 6 that will take the learnings, balance their resources, and leverage the technology to deliver a shooter portfolio that unlocks growth. Alongside Battlefield, Respawn and DICE are being brought together to collaborate on a future project. New gameplay modes will be coming in Apex Legends as well as other new experiences, as EA continues to invest in the IP.
EA’s portfilio in the Action-Adventure genre will be led by Marvel’s Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game. Beyond that, EA is concentrating its efforts on fewer simultaneous, large-scale projects.
“As we focus on these larger opportunities, we’ve had a small team at BioWare working on early development for Mass Effect. We’ve made the decision not to move forward with this development, which means we’re closing the studio and our Edmonton workspace. BioWare is a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre, and we do not take this decision lightly.”
EA will continue to invest in the global growth of the FC franchise and the full EA SPORTS portfolio. Two new projects are in development. One is a brand-new, social-first open-world experience that’s being called “Project Gridiron.” EA is also in pre-production to bring back a beloved, fan-favorite in Fight Night.
EA is also focusing on the long-term potential of The Sims and skate in its Lifestyle portfolio. “Project Evergreen” for The Sims is getting prioritized over “Project Lotus.” The team for skate is making changes to the studio to have a more focused, smaller team to deliver a very clear roadmap that keeps players engaged long-term.
“The decisions we’re making in our priorities, how we work, and with our portfolio reflect our belief in EA’s future. Some open exciting new possibilities. Others are difficult, especially for the people and teams across the company who are directly affected. In those cases, we will support impacted employees in exploring other opportunities within EA, and we’re committed to treating impacted colleagues with care and respect.”
https://t.co/TicSujMWps
— BioWare (@bioware) October 21, 2026
BioWare released a statement on its blog regarding the news:
“For more than 30 years, BioWare has been more than a studio. It has been a home for storytellers, developers, and the players who brought our worlds to life.
Baldur’s Gate. Neverwinter Nights. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Dragon Age. Mass Effect. Anthem.
Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.
There is nothing easy about writing those words. Our focus right now is on our incredibly talented team who put their hearts into these games, and supporting one another through this transition.
What generations of BioWare built together is something to celebrate and remember. These games became so much more because you played them, debated your choices, fell in love with the characters, and made these worlds your own.
From all of us at BioWare, thank you for being the most meaningful part of our story.”
BioWare was founded back in 1995 and was acquired by EA in 2007. Alongside Mass Effect and Dragon Age which are EA’s biggest franchises, the RPG makeralsi brought to life the original Baldur’s Gate titles, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, and Anthem.
BioWare’s last game Dragon Age: The Veilguard,while regarded as a return to form for the company, did not meet EA’s sales expectations and led to layoffs last year. `