EA Closes BioWare Studio and Cancels Upcoming Mass Effect Game

EA announced the shutdown of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect title, part of a plan to cut about 400 jobs company-wide.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 22, 2026 · 6:37 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

EA announced the closure of BioWare on October 21, 2026.

Approximately 400 jobs, including about 50 at BioWare, will be cut company-wide.

The next Mass Effect game was canceled while still in early development.

EA's $55 billion acquisition by a group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund closed in August 2026.

BioWare's Edmonton studio in Canada will be shut down.

Electronic Arts (EA) said it will close BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, after more than three decades, and has also scrapped the next Mass Effect game, which was still in early development.

BioWare confirmed the shutdown in a statement on October 21, 2026, as EA prepares to cut roughly 400 jobs across the firm, including about 50 positions at BioWare, according to Bloomberg.

BioWare Confirms Closure

In its announcement, BioWare said it would close the studio and halt early development of the upcoming Mass Effect project.

The developer noted the difficulty of the choice and said its immediate priority was supporting employees affected by the closure.

BioWare also expressed gratitude to its players for years of support, citing their role in shaping the stories, characters and worlds in its games.

EA Announces Job Cuts

The closure forms part of a broader restructuring at EA, which intends to eliminate roughly 400 positions, about 3% of its workforce.

Reuters reported that EA will shut BioWare's Edmonton studio in Canada and shift resources to fewer major gaming projects.

The company said it will help affected staff explore other opportunities within EA.

Mass Effect Development Canceled

EA has ended work on the next Mass Effect title, which a small BioWare team had been developing.

In an internal letter, EA COO David Tinson and Chief Studios Officer Cam Weber said the firm had reviewed its business and decided to stop several projects.

EA will keep developing other major titles, including Marvel's Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game, and will continue investing in Battlefield, Apex Legends and its sports franchises.

BioWare's 30-Year History

Founded in Canada in 1995 and acquired by EA in 2007, BioWare became known for role-playing games with detailed stories, memorable characters and player-driven choices.

Key releases include Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect and Anthem.

Recent challenges included poor reviews for Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem, and disappointing sales for the latest Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Closure Follows EA Takeover

BioWare's shutdown comes after EA's $55 billion acquisition by an investor group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, a deal that closed in August 2026.

As part of its restructuring, EA plans to cut development costs and focus on projects it deems more commercially promising.

The closure ends BioWare's more than 30-year history as a game developer and halts work on the next installment of its flagship franchise.