BioWare has faced recent challenges. Following layoffs, new reports reveal further cause for concern. Team members initially temporarily moved from Dragon Age: The Veilguard to other EA projects are now being permanently transferred.
Permanent Transfers Signal Significant Shift
A report by Jason Schreier at Bloomberg details the change. What was initially termed a "temporary transfer" has become permanent. Dragon Age project workers are now informed their assignments to other EA studios are relocations. These individuals are no longer BioWare personnel on loan. They are now employees of those other EA studios. Returning to BioWare would require applying for open positions like any external candidate.
BioWare Headcount Dwindles Below 100
This news follows previous layoffs at BioWare. Bloomberg's report indicates BioWare's staff has decreased to under 100 employees. This raises questions about the studio's capacity for large-scale RPG projects like the next Mass Effect. A studio once known for epic RPGs now operates with a significantly smaller team.
EA's Statement Offers Vague Reassurance
EA provided a statement to IGN. They stated BioWare's focus shifted from Dragon Age to "full focus is Mass Effect." EA claims the studio has "the right number of people in the right roles." However, without specific numbers, the statement lacks clarity. The definition of "the right number" remains unclear, especially for a major title like Mass Effect.
We're not talking numbers, but the studio is properly staffed to the right number and the right types in the right roles to work on Mass Effect at this point in its development.
- EA Statement to IGN
Uncertainty Surrounds Mass Effect and BioWare's Future
BioWare fans are understandably concerned. The next Mass Effect carries significant weight for the studio's future. Following past commercial disappointments, its success is crucial. Can a smaller BioWare recapture their previous success? Can they deliver a Mass Effect that satisfies fans and revitalizes the studio? The future of BioWare appears uncertain.
