EA shuts down BioWare: the Mass Effect and Dragon Age studio closes after 30 years
Electronic Arts announced on October 21 that it is closing BioWare as part of roughly 400 job cuts. The next Mass Effect, still in early development, was also stopped.
On October 21, 2026, Electronic Arts confirmed it is closing BioWare, the Canadian studio behind some of the most beloved role-playing games ever made. The news came as part of a wider cut: about 400 jobs across the company, close to 3% of its staff, around 50 of them at BioWare.
The studio put it plainly in its farewell message: BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect is ending.
Thirty years of role-playing games
BioWare was founded in 1995 in Edmonton, Canada, by Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk and Augustine Yip, three doctors who switched to video games. EA bought it in 2007.
From Baldur's Gate to Mass Effect
Its list is long: Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, the Mass Effect trilogy and the Dragon Age saga. Its last years were harder: Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem drew heavy criticism, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024) sold below EA's expectations, which had already led to layoffs in 2025.
What happens now with EA and its franchises
The closure comes about two months after EA went private, following a roughly 55 billion dollar buyout led by Saudi Arabia's investment fund. The company said it will focus its money on EA Sports, Apex Legends and Battlefield; the next Star Wars Jedi game and an Iron Man title also continue.
For now it is unclear what will happen to the Mass Effect and Dragon Age brands: EA has not said whether it will hand them to another studio, sell them or shelve them.
The games already released can still be played. If you want to go back to the Mass Effect trilogy and your console runs hot or your controller is acting up, MBTECNIC can check it for you.
