Dragon Age: The Veilguard Dev BioWare Reportedly Down to Fewer Than 100 Employees Following Layoffs and Staff Exits

BioWare's workforce has reportedly shrunk to under 100 employees following recent layoffs and departures. This significant reduction comes after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a company restructure prioritizing the next Mass Effect game.

Two years ago, during Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s peak development, BioWare employed over 200 people. Last week’s EA restructuring, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, resulted in some Veilguard team members transferring to other EA studios. For example, Veilguard’s creative director, John Epler, moved to Full Circle to work on the Skate game, while senior writer Sheryl Chee transitioned to Motive’s Iron Man project.

These transfers, initially described as temporary, are now permanent relocations, meaning these individuals are no longer considered BioWare employees. Additionally, several BioWare developers confirmed layoffs on social media, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer Trick Weekes, editor Ryan Cormier, producer Jen Cheverie, and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm. These departures follow earlier layoffs in 2023 and the departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche last month.

EA’s response to inquiries regarding the impact of these changes remained vague, stating the studio now has the “right number of people in the right roles” for Mass Effect’s development. Bloomberg, however, reported approximately two dozen layoffs. BioWare staff reportedly consider the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard a remarkable achievement given the challenges faced during development, including initial mandates for live-service elements later reversed. IGN has previously documented these development hurdles, including layoffs and the departure of key project leads.

While Dragon Age fans express concern for the future of the series, a former BioWare writer offered a message of hope, stating, “Dragon Age isn't dead because it's yours now.” EA confirmed that a core team at BioWare, led by veterans of the original Mass Effect trilogy (including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley), is developing the next Mass Effect game.