Electronic Arts shuts down BioWare and cancels Mass Effect

Electronic Arts BioWare Mass Effect game industry layoffs Public Investment Fund

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the closure of BioWare, the influential game development studio known for role-playing franchises such as ‘Mass Effect’, ‘Dragon Age’, and ‘Baldur’s Gate’. The decision follows a $55 billion acquisition of EA by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, alongside investments from Silver Lake Partners and Affinity Partners.

The shutdown includes the cancellation of the next ‘Mass Effect’ title, which was in development. Following the announcement, a leaked two-minute trailer for the cancelled project, titled ‘Mass Effect: Universe’, surfaced on Reddit. The footage, which journalist Jason Schreier confirmed as authentic, reportedly featured a new protagonist and the character Liara T’Soni.

As part of broader restructuring, EA is laying off approximately 400 employees, with about 50 of those cuts affecting BioWare. Despite the studio's closure, EA stated it will continue to invest in ‘Apex Legends’ and its sports titles. Meanwhile, the ‘Mass Effect’ television series at Amazon MGM Studios remains in development.

Entities

Amazon MGM Studios · BioWare · Edmonton · Electronic Arts · Mass Effect · Public Investment Fund · Saudi Public Investment Fund

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 46 SOURCES] Electronic Arts is shutting down BioWare. gamingnation.nl · www.uagna.it · gamersrd.com · gaminglatest.com · www.hardware.com.br · +22 more
[DISPUTED] The new Mass Effect game was in its early development phase. gamingnation.nl · gamersrd.com · www.hardware.com.br · www.uagna.it · playday.one · +22 more
[● 21 SOURCES] The job cuts represent about 3% of EA's global workforce. www.uagna.it · gaminglatest.com · www.hardware.com.br · vg24.gr · gamesite.zoznam.sk · +9 more
[● 40 SOURCES] Electronic Arts is cutting approximately 400 jobs globally. gamingnation.nl · www.uagna.it · gamersrd.com · gaminglatest.com · www.hardware.com.br · +19 more
[● 17 SOURCES] BioWare is based in Edmonton, Canada. www.uagna.it · gamersrd.com · gaminglatest.com · vg24.gr · www.hardware.com.br · +9 more
[DISPUTED] The development of the next Mass Effect game has been cancelled. gamingnation.nl · www.uagna.it · gamersrd.com · gaminglatest.com · www.hardware.com.br · +26 more
[● 21 SOURCES] EA was acquired in a $55 billion deal involving the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. www.uagna.it · gamersrd.com · vg24.gr · gamesite.zoznam.sk · proximonivel.pt · +10 more
[● 34 SOURCES] Approximately 50 of the job cuts will affect BioWare. gamingnation.nl · gamersrd.com · gaminglatest.com · www.hardware.com.br · www.uagna.it · +21 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund acquired EA for $55 billion. www.geeknetic.es · gamersrd.com · hernyweb.sk · vg24.gr · gamesite.zoznam.sk · +3 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The project codenamed 'Project Lotus' within The Sims franchise has been cancelled. 4gamers.be · gamesite.zoznam.sk
[● 5 SOURCES] EA aims to reduce annual costs by $700 million. gamersrd.com · gamesite.zoznam.sk · todaytech.eu
[● 33 SOURCES] The next Mass Effect game has been cancelled. www.geeknetic.es · gamersrd.com · gizmologi.id · todaytech.eu · vg24.gr · +21 more