EA Layoffs: Electronic Arts Cuts 400 Jobs and Closes BioWare Studio
Electronic Arts (EA) is reportedly cutting around 400 jobs, or 3% of its global workforce, as part of a major restructuring. The reported changes include the closure of BioWare and halting early development on the next Mass Effect instalment. EA will prioritise franchises such as Battlefield, Apex Legends, Marvel’s Iron Man and Star Wars Jedi, while scaling back some other projects.
Video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) has initiated a major corporate restructuring that will reduce its global workforce by approximately 3 percent, eliminating around 400 positions. The strategic shift includes the closure of its renowned Canadian development unit, BioWare, alongside the cancellation of early development work on the next installment in the Mass Effect franchise.
The organizational changes follow a comprehensive internal evaluation of project performance and long-term business goals. As per a report by The Times of India, EA Chief Studios Officer Cam Weber and Chief Operating Officer David Tinson informed staff via an internal memo that resources will be reallocated toward core franchises and sustainable high-growth opportunities. Qualcomm Layoffs: CEO Cristiano Amon Announces Global Job Cuts Starting in November.
Closure of BioWare and Termination of Mass Effect Project
The decision to close BioWare brings an end to the studio's 30-year legacy in creating influential role-playing titles, including Baldur’s Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect. Early pre-production on the next Mass Effect entry has ceased, with EA attempting to assist impacted studio personnel in transitioning to alternative open positions within the company.
In an official public message, BioWare expressed gratitude to its player base for supporting its storytelling legacy across three decades. The shutdown marks one of the most notable studio consolidations within the games industry this year as publishers face tightening budgets and changing consumer habits.
Resource Allocation for Battlefield, Apex Legends, and Live Services
Moving forward, EA will consolidate its development resources around key established live-service and action properties. The publisher confirmed continued funding for Battlefield, Apex Legends, Marvel's Iron Man, and the next Star Wars Jedi title, while encouraging closer technical collaboration between teams at Respawn Entertainment and DICE. Layoffs Amid AI Adoption: Multinationals Cut Jobs as Corporate Investments Pivot Toward Artificial Intelligence.
Simultaneously, adjustments are occurring across EA's simulation and lifestyle games. While development on Project Evergreen for The Sims remains active, work on Project Lotus has been paused, and the development team for Skate is being scaled down to match a revised long-term roadmap.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2026 08:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).