Key Dragon Age developers depart BioWare following restructuring for Mass Effect 5.
On January 29th, IGN reported that BioWare had reassigned numerous developers to other EA projects, fully concentrating on Mass Effect 5. General manager Gary McKay explained the restructuring as a strategic move to "reimagine how we work" between development cycles. He stated that the full studio's support wasn't currently needed for Mass Effect 5 and that employees were placed in suitable roles within EA.
While some BioWare developers transitioned to equivalent roles within EA, a smaller number of Dragon Age team members faced termination, with the option to apply for other internal positions.
Subsequently, several BioWare developers announced their departures on social media, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer Patrick Weekes, and editor Ryan Cormier. Producer Jen Cheverie and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm also confirmed their exits.
This follows 2023 layoffs and the recent departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche. EA provided a vague response to inquiries about the number of affected individuals, stating that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current Mass Effect development phase.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the first new entry in the series in a decade, concluded its development last week with a final update. The game's lackluster launch, including the absence of post-launch DLC, surprised fans. EA admitted the game missed sales expectations by 50%, achieving only 1.5 million players instead of the projected three million. The game's troubled development, marked by layoffs and the departure of key personnel, has been previously documented.
Meanwhile, EA confirmed that a core team of Mass Effect veterans, including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others, are leading the development of the next Mass Effect game.
