Electronic Arts (EA) is set to shut down gaming studio BioWare and eliminate around 400 jobs globally as part of a broader restructuring exercise. The proposed job cuts account for approximately 3 per cent of EA’s global workforce of around 14,500 employees.
The decision was communicated through an internal memo by EA executives Cam Weber and David Tinson, who said the company had reviewed its business operations and priorities for the next phase of the interactive entertainment industry.
BioWare, founded in 1995, is known for role-playing game franchises such as Mass Effect and Dragon Age. The studio confirmed the closure in a post on X, stating that operations would cease and early development work on the next Mass Effect project would end.
EA acquired BioWare in 2007. The studio faced challenges following the releases of Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem. Its latest release, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, fell short of sales expectations, prompting EA to reduce the studio’s workforce last year. Around 50 of the latest affected roles are reportedly at BioWare.
The restructuring marks EA’s first major round of cuts since it went private following a reported $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The deal involved an estimated $18 billion in debt, while EA has outlined plans to save up to $700 million, partly through reductions in research and development spending.
Despite the cuts, EA said it would continue investing in key franchises. Its broader development portfolio also includes Marvel’s Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game.
The move comes amid continuing restructuring across the gaming industry. Microsoft’s Xbox division has also been planning substantial job reductions, with reports indicating that further cuts could follow earlier rounds of layoffs and changes to its studio portfolio.
