TRENDING: NVIDIA's new AI model trains robots to move like LeBron and Ronaldo

BioWare masks developer layoffs with Mass Effect 5 announcement

BioWare has strangely announced that Mass Effect 5 development has begun, but the full studio isn't needed, which translates to layoffs.

BioWare masks developer layoffs with Mass Effect 5 announcement
Comment IconFacebook IconX IconReddit Icon
Tech and Science Editor
Published
1 minute & 30 seconds read time
TL;DR: BioWare has announced the start of Mass Effect 5 development, but not all studio resources are required, leading to layoffs.

BioWare has put out a strangely opaque statement about the current developer situation at the company that has been coupled with a positive announcement regarding Mass Effect 5.

The developer took to its blog to announce that Mass Effect 5 has officially begun development, with the studio writing the "core team at BioWare is developing the next Mass Effect game" and that the project is headed by leadership from the original trilogy of games. That veteran leadership includes Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others.

Moreover, BioWare writes that it's taking this time between the release of Dragon Age: Veilguard, which publisher EA confirmed underwhelmingly performed sales-wise, and the development of Mass Effect 5 to reimagine "how we work at BioWare" and to "think deeply about delivering the best experience to our fans."

BioWare masks developer layoffs with Mass Effect 5 announcement 651651

Then the message gets strange, or at least the language does. BioWare goes on to write that the current stage of development for Mass Effect 5 doesn't "require support from the full studio," and that BioWare has been working with affected staff to find other appropriate positions at EA. BioWare adds it's becoming a "more agile, focussed that produces unforgettable RPGs."

Forbes reports the opaque text from BioWare translates to a certain number of layoffs, and these moves by the company appear to be permanent. Moreover, the layoffs appear to be targeting Dragon Age team members, which is sourced from social posts from writers, editors, producers, managers, and system designers that worked on the recently released title. At the moment, the specific number of layoffs remains a mystery.

Photo of the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 15 Gbps GDRR6
Best Deals: MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 15 Gbps GDRR6
Country flag Today 7 days ago 30 days ago
$349.99 USD $249 USD
Buy
$508 USD $433 USD
Buy
$421.91 CAD $421.91 CAD
Buy
£322.93 £353.65
Buy
$349.99 USD $249 USD
Buy
* Prices last scanned on 2/9/2025 at 6:58 pm CST - prices may not be accurate, click links above for the latest price. We may earn an affiliate commission from any sales.

Tech and Science Editor

Email IconX IconLinkedIn Icon

Jak joined the TweakTown team in 2017 and has since reviewed 100s of new tech products and kept us informed daily on the latest science, space, and artificial intelligence news. Jak's love for science, space, and technology, and, more specifically, PC gaming, began at 10 years old. It was the day his dad showed him how to play Age of Empires on an old Compaq PC. Ever since that day, Jak fell in love with games and the progression of the technology industry in all its forms.

Related Topics

Newsletter Subscription