EA Shuts Down BioWare, Cancels New Mass Effect and Pauses Sims Project
EA has confirmed layoffs affecting about 400 staff, the closure of BioWare, the cancellation of a new Mass Effect game, and a pause on a Sims project, following its $55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.
Electronic Arts is closing BioWare, canceling a new Mass Effect game, and pausing a Sims project as part of a broad restructuring that includes layoffs affecting about 400 employees, the company confirmed on October 21. The moves mark the first major shakeup since EA was taken private in a $55 billion leveraged buyout led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.
BioWare, the Canadian studio founded more than 30 years ago and known for defining the role-playing genre with franchises such as Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, will shut down. The studio employed fewer than 100 people and was working on the next Mass Effect, which is now canceled. EA called BioWare «a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre» and said the decision was not taken lightly. The closure drew an outpouring of support from fans and industry professionals, including CD Projekt's Michal Nowakowski, who recalled BioWare's early help localizing Baldur's Gate in Europe and lending its game engine for the first Witcher game. «Very sad for the people affected, but also sad to see a legendary brand go down,» he said.
The cuts follow expectations that EA would reduce costs to service the debt taken on in the leveraged buyout, the largest of its kind in business history. Before the deal closed, Ampere Analysis's Piers Harding-Rolls said EA might «cut excess spending and rationalize the company's workforce,» while Circana's Mat Piscatella noted that leveraged buyouts «generally haven't been great for the acquired companies.» A Financial Times report said EA could bolster AI tools to cut development costs.
Elsewhere, EA has paused Project Lotus, a codename for a new Sims game, with developers now focused on another Sims project codenamed Project Evergreen. The Sims remains a major franchise for EA, and fans have long awaited a new mainline entry. The company's Skate game, released in 2025, will stay online, but EA is cutting staff there to create a «more focused, smaller team» with a clearer roadmap toward a «healthier and more sustainable business.»
EA Sports continues to operate «from a position of strength,» according to the company, with two new projects in development: a social-first open-world football game codenamed Project Gridiron and a new Fight Night, returning after a 15-year hiatus. In shooters, EA said Battlefield 6 was a «great success» and confirmed future Battlefield titles, plus a joint project between Respawn and DICE that many believe is a new Star Wars: Battlefront game. Variety reported that a new Battlefront is indeed coming, following DICE's two prior entries that sold more than 33 million copies combined. EA also said it will «invest heavily» in Apex Legends with new modes and experiences.
Other projects remain in development, including the Marvel-based Iron Man game and the next Star Wars Jedi title, even as EA canceled its Black Panther game. The company said it will concentrate on «fewer simultaneous, large-scale projects» to ensure each game is set up for success. Affected employees will be treated with «care and respect,» EA said, and some may find other roles within the company.
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