BioWare has announced that it is closing after more than 30 years in the video game industry, while early development on the next Mass Effect game is also ending. The studio shared the announcement in a statement reflecting on its history and thanking players for supporting its games over the decades.
“For more than 30 years, BioWare has been more than a studio. It has been a home for storytellers, developers, and the players who brought our worlds to life.”
The statement went on to name several of the studio’s best-known franchises, including Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect. BioWare also addressed the end of its operations directly, saying, “Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.”
The studio acknowledged the impact of the announcement on its employees, adding that its immediate focus was on supporting its team through the transition. BioWare also thanked the players who connected with its games and helped shape their communities over the years.
“There is nothing easy about writing those words. Our focus right now is on our incredibly talented team who put their hearts into these games, and supporting one another through this transition.”
Founded in 1995 in Canada, BioWare became known for role-playing games built around player choices, companion relationships, and branching narratives. Its work on Baldur’s Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic helped establish its reputation before the studio launched its major original franchises, Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
The studio’s more recent releases included Anthem in 2019 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024. Its announcement marks a major change for the developer’s two best-known franchises, particularly Mass Effect, whose next instalment was still in early development.
