In a nutshell
- EA has confirmed the closure of BioWare after more than three decades in the games industry.
- Development of the next Mass Effect RPG has been canceled while still in its early stages.
- The move comes amid broader restructuring efforts at EA, which reportedly include around 400 job cuts across the company.
Electronic Arts has officially announced the closure of BioWare, bringing an end to one of gaming’s most influential RPG studios after more than 30 years in operation. Alongside the shutdown, the publisher has also canceled development of the next Mass Effect RPG, which was reportedly still in its early stages.
The announcement marks a heartbreaking moment for longtime fans, as BioWare was responsible for beloved franchises such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The studio also built its reputation on genre-defining RPGs like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, helping shape modern role-playing games as we know them today.
EA Restructuring Leads to BioWare Closure
According to reports, the closure is part of a broader restructuring initiative at EA that includes approximately 400 job cuts across the company. Around 50 BioWare employees are said to be affected, while EA is also shuttering the studio’s Edmonton office in Canada.
In a farewell statement shared on social media, BioWare reflected on its decades-long journey and thanked both its developers and players for supporting its games throughout the years. The studio also stated that its immediate focus is helping affected employees during the transition period.
Next Mass Effect Will No Longer Continue
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of the announcement is the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game.
The project was first teased in 2020 and was expected to continue the beloved sci-fi RPG series. While BioWare had never revealed an official title or launch window, the studio had previously indicated that development was ongoing. Following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024, BioWare had shifted much of its focus toward the new Mass Effect project.
As recently as November 2025, Mass Effect executive producer Mike Gamble reportedly reaffirmed EA and BioWare’s commitment to the franchise. However, the latest developments have brought those plans to an abrupt halt before the game could progress beyond its early development phase.
