EA Closes BioWare And Cuts 3% Of Staff In Studios Reset
Electronic Arts is closing BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and cutting about 3% of its global workforce as it narrows its focus to a smaller set of franchises, according to a memo to staff published on EA's website on October 21, 2026.
The memo came from Cam Weber, president and chief studios officer, and David Tinson, president and COO.
Variety reported that EA last disclosed 14,500 employees, which puts the cuts at around 400 people.
The restructuring is the publisher's first major move since its $55bn take-private deal closed on August 4, with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners as backers.
Why BioWare Is Closing
The memo says a small BioWare team had been working on the early development of a new Mass Effect game, and that EA decided not to proceed with it.
That decision, the executives wrote, means closing the studio and its Edmonton workspace. They called BioWare a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre and said the call was not taken lightly.
In a post on the BioWare blog, the team confirmed the studio is closing after more than 30 years.
It listed Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect and Anthem among its games.
Where EA Is Putting Its Money
The memo sets out three priorities: deepen the core franchises; expand reach into new platforms, markets, and business models, such as Asia; and transform the business using EA's sports relationships to create new ways for fans to engage with teams and athletes.
The executives added that these new investments will only scale when they show real potential.
In shooters, EA called Battlefield 6 a great success and said it would apply lessons from the launch and its live service. Respawn and DICE will join forces on a future project.
The memo does not name it, but Variety reported that multiple sources confirmed it is Star Wars: Battlefront 3 for Lucasfilm. EA will also keep investing heavily in Apex Legends over the next few years, with new multiplayer modes and other experiences.
Two big action-adventure releases remain on the slate: Marvel's Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game. After those, EA says it will concentrate on fewer large projects simultaneously.
Sports And Lifestyle
EA SPORTS is described as operating from a position of strength, with continued investment in the FC franchise.
Two new projects are in development: Project Gridiron, a social-first open-world experience for American football fans, and a revived Fight Night boxing title now in pre-production.
In lifestyle, EA is prioritising Project Evergreen for The Sims and pausing Project Lotus. The skate. studio will become a smaller, more focused team.
What It Means For Esports
Some outlets framed the restructuring as a pivot towards esports.
The memo itself never mentions esports. What it does show is a heavier bet on live-service shooters such as Battlefield and Apex Legends, plus sports-led fan engagement, which are the areas where competitive play and betting interest tend to sit.
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