BioWare's Dragon Age Team 'Nearly Gone' After Layoffs

BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to under 100 employees following recent layoffs and departures. This reduction follows the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a company restructuring prioritizing the next Mass Effect game.

Bloomberg reported BioWare employed over 200 individuals two years ago during The Veilguard's development. Last week's EA restructuring, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, resulted in some The Veilguard staff transferring to other EA studios. For example, Game Developer reported that Veilguard's creative director, John Epler, moved to Full Circle's Skate project, while senior writer Sheryl Chee transitioned to Motive's Iron Man project.

This restructuring followed EA's announcement of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's underperformance, falling nearly 50% short of projected player engagement (1.5 million players reported). Bloomberg clarifies that these staff transfers are permanent, not temporary assignments. Additional employees confirmed layoffs on social media, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm. These departures follow 2023 layoffs and the departure of director Corinne Busche last month.

EA's response to inquiries regarding the impact of these changes remained vague, stating the studio is appropriately staffed for the current Mass Effect development phase without providing specific numbers. Bloomberg estimates approximately two dozen layoffs. BioWare staff reportedly consider the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard a remarkable achievement given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed. IGN has previously documented The Veilguard's development challenges, including prior layoffs and the departure of key personnel.

Amidst fan concerns about the future of the Dragon Age series, a former BioWare writer offered reassurance, stating, "Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now." EA confirmed a core team at BioWare, led by veterans of the original Mass Effect trilogy (including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley), is developing the next Mass Effect title.