Electronic Arts to Shut Down BioWare, Cancel Next Mass Effect, and Cut Around 400 Jobs

Electronic Arts Inc. said it will shut down its long-running BioWare studio and cancel the next Mass Effect game, which was in early development. According to a person familiar with the plans, EA will cut around 400 jobs, or about 3% of its total workforce, including roughly 50 roles at BioWare. The restructuring follows EA going private in August via a $55B leveraged buyout led by Saudi Arabia's investment fund, which placed around $18B in debt on the publisher's books alongside an existing plan to save up to $700M partly through R&D cuts. In a Wednesday staff letter reviewed by Bloomberg, EA also confirmed it is canceling a planned Sims project code-named Project Lotus and downsizing the team behind its skateboarding game skate, while continuing to back sports titles, Apex Legends, Battlefield, the next Star Wars Jedi game, and a Marvel's Iron Man title. "Across our portfolio, we’re making deliberate choices to align talent and investments where we see the greatest opportunities for players and long-term growth." — David Tinson, EA Chief Operating Officer, and Cam Weber, Chief Studios Officer