Electronic Arts Shuts Down BioWare After More Than 30 Years, Cancels Next Mass Effect
Electronic Arts is closing the Edmonton-based studio BioWare, laying off approximately 400 people and cancelling the fifth Mass Effect game. The decision follows EA's recent $55 billion US sale to a consortium including Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners.
Electronic Arts is shutting down BioWare, the Edmonton-based video game development studio that has operated for more than 30 years. The closure was announced on social media following a Bloomberg report stating that approximately 400 people are being laid off, including about 50 at BioWare.
BioWare was founded in 1995 and acquired by Electronic Arts in 2007. Co-founder Trent Oster stated that during his time at the company, it grew from six people to 420. Alongside the studio closure, the upcoming Mass Effect game—the fifth installment in the series since 2007—has been cancelled.
The shutdown follows Electronic Arts' recent completion of a $55 billion US sale of its business. The buyers include Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF, investment firm Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners, which is run by U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
In recent years, BioWare faced challenges with several releases. Its 2019 multiplayer shooter Anthem failed to find a loyal audience compared to hits like Fortnite and Overwatch. Additionally, recent titles Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017) and Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024) met with mixed reviews and disappointed fans.