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Electronic Arts (EA) is shutting down BioWare, the gaming studio behind popular role-playing game franchises such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The closure marks the end of a studio that helped shape story-driven gaming over more than three decades.
BioWare confirmed the development in a statement shared on X on October 21. The studio also announced that early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.
The shutdown comes amid wider job cuts at EA, with around 400 employees reportedly affected. According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, BioWare had around 50 employees remaining before the closure.
In its statement, BioWare reflected on its legacy, highlighting games such as Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect and Anthem.
The studio described itself as more than a workplace, calling it a home for developers, storytellers and players who helped bring its fictional worlds to life.
“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,” the studio said.
BioWare also thanked players for shaping its games through their choices, relationships with characters, and engagement with its stories.
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BioWare built its reputation on role-playing games that placed storytelling and player choice at the center of the experience. Its titles became known for immersive worlds, memorable characters and decisions that influenced how players experienced their adventures.
The Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises helped establish the studio as a major name in gaming. However, its recent releases, including Mass Effect: Andromeda and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, received mixed player reception.
Despite these challenges, the studio retained a loyal fan base.
Fans’ immediate concern is the future of the next Mass Effect project, whose early development is ending. BioWare has not clarified whether another team will continue the wider franchise.
The future of Dragon Age also remains uncertain, with no confirmed details about whether EA will continue the series.
BioWare’s closure marks the end of a studio whose games influenced generations of role-playing game fans.
