Key Dragon Age developers depart BioWare following restructuring for Mass Effect 5.

On January 29th, IGN reported that BioWare has shifted numerous developers to other EA projects, concentrating solely on Mass Effect 5. General manager Gary McKay explained the restructuring as a strategic realignment between development cycles, stating that the full studio's support wasn't currently needed for Mass Effect 5. He confirmed that many employees were successfully placed within other EA teams.

However, a smaller number of Dragon Age team members faced termination, with the option to apply for other internal roles. Several BioWare developers subsequently announced their departures on social media, including editor Karin West-Weekes, narrative designer and lead writer Patrick Weekes, and editor Ryan Cormier. Producer Jen Cheverie and senior systems designer Michelle Flamm also confirmed their exits.

This follows 2023 layoffs and the recent departure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche. EA's response to inquiries regarding the number of affected individuals was non-specific, simply stating that the studio is appropriately staffed for the current Mass Effect development phase.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the first new entry in the series in a decade, concluded its development last week with a final update. BioWare's announcement that no post-launch DLC was planned, coupled with EA's admission that sales fell 50% short of the projected three million players (reaching only 1.5 million), disappointed fans. The game's troubled development, marked by layoffs and the departure of key personnel, has been previously documented.

Meanwhile, EA confirmed that a core team of Mass Effect veterans, including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others, are leading development on the next Mass Effect game.

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