Electronic Arts has officially shut down BioWare, resulting in the cancellation of the next entry in the Mass Effect series. The closure, which comes as EA cuts approximately 400 jobs across its global operations, marks the end of a long-troubled period for the studio, according to a report from Bloomberg.
EA Chief Operating Officer David Tinson and Chief Studios Officer Cam Weber stated in a letter to staff that the decision was a deliberate choice to align talent and investments where the company sees the greatest opportunities for players and long-term growth. This broader restructuring also impacted other projects, including the cancellation of a game in The Sims franchise code-named Project Lotus, though the company will continue to support the Battlefield series.
Mass Effect composer Sam Hulick releases his 're-scored' trailer
The closure of BioWare follows a series of challenging releases for the studio, starting with the 2017 launch of Mass Effect: Andromeda. Released on March 21, 2017, for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, that title served as a soft reboot but faced a famously troubled development and mixed reception. BioWare’s challenges were noted as a “cold streak” by industry observers, with the studio struggling to regain its standing since the launch of Andromeda.
The impact on personnel has been significant, with approximately 50 BioWare staff members affected by the cuts. Writing on social media, Catherynne M. Valente, who worked as a writer on the project, addressed those who criticized her involvement by pointing out that her name was not in the credits for Andromeda, Anthem, or Dragon Age: The Veilguard. She confirmed she had been working on the new Mass Effect title and expressed deep frustration, stating she was “gutted” by the cancellation and asserting that the team had been making good progress.
I now have permission to share something I hoped would be revealed with much more fanfare. I spent more than 3 years as one of the writers of #MassEffect4 It was one of the greatest privileges & GLORIOUS challenges of my life. I smiled every day. I worked HARD for the fans,…
Catherynne M. Valente described her time on the project as one of the greatest privileges and glorious challenges of her life.
EA to Close BioWare; Cancels Next Mass Effect
Derek Künsken, author of the Quantum Universe novels, also confirmed he had worked on the game on and off for five years. He described the team’s creative efforts as a highly focused and positive experience.
working with Valente on character and lore was “the most energizing, in-the-zone collaboration” he’d had. Derek Künsken, author
Narrative Ambitions and Musical Direction
The cancelled title had been teased since 2020, with trailers implying a bridge between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. The narrative was expected to feature the return of Liara T’Soni, a party member from the original trilogy, and suggested that a team from the Milky Way would respond to a distress call from the Andromeda galaxy. The inclusion of the Angara, an alien race that debuted in Mass Effect: Andromeda, hinted at a meeting between native Andromeda species and those from the Milky Way.
Mass Effect 5 Was Supposed to Redeem the Series
Composer Sam Hulick, who served as a co-composer on the original trilogy, had been working on a re-score for the game’s trailer to reflect his own musical vision. Hulick explained that his approach was a balancing act between paying homage to the original games while exploring new ground, leaning toward the styles of Mass Effect 1 and 3. He had been experimenting with heavy analog synths and elements of synthwave for the project’s potential soundscape before the studio was closed.
We did figure it out. We were working on a great game. Just saying. https://t.co/6BBjeIiK6B
Financial Context
The studio closure occurs as Electronic Arts undergoes a major transition. Following a US$55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund that concluded in August, the publisher is now a private company. Reports indicate the deal left the company with approximately US$18 billion in debt, leading to cost-saving measures that include a target of saving US$700 million by reducing research and development expenses. While the Mass Effect project is cancelled, EA intends to continue its investment in sports titles, Apex Legends, and other action-adventure projects, including upcoming entries in the Star Wars and Iron Man franchises.
Despite the end of the project, some talent is moving to other ventures. Former Mass Effect director Casey Hudson’s new studio announced Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic last year, which is expected to release around 2029. Meanwhile, fans continue to look back at the original trilogy, as noted by observers who find comfort in the fact that the original series remains a complete, albeit controversial, ending to Shepard’s tale.
I have a weird announcement. On and off for the last five years, as a contract writer, and as a senior writer on staff, I've been hoping to be allowed to say where I worked. Today I finally got the green light: I've been working on the next #MassEffect. 1/6
More on BioWare
There are too many great people to mention right now. All fifty deserve to be lauded and to land safely in new jobs. I hope you support them. I also hope to say more in a few weeks. The emotional dust needs to settle. 5/6