The “temporary” reassignment of employees at BioWare to other EA projects has become permanent, leaving the studio with less than 100 developers.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has reported that the Bioware employees, who were “temporarily” reassigned to other EA projects following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have now been informed that their relocations to their respective EA subsidiaries are permanent. His information comes from people familiar with the situation. Should these relocated developers wish to work at the studio in the future, they would be required to look for job openings and re-apply.
For many, this was an unwelcome shift. Some who had joined BioWare specifically to work on its role-playing game franchises have now found themselves permanently reassigned to studios focusing on action or sports titles. Despite the disappointment, these employees at least retained their jobs. Others were not as fortunate, as we reported here.
According to Schreier’s information, the studio’s workforce has now been reduced to less than 100 developers, a significant drop from over 200 just two years ago. This includes Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Lead Writer Trick Weekes, Lead Editor Karin West-Weekes, and Narrative Editor Ryan Cormier. Additionally, BioWare Producer Jennifer Cheverie Cott, Associate Game Producer Daniel Steed, Senior Product Manager Lina Anderson, Senior Systems Designer Michelle Flamm, and Editor/Writer Ryan Cormier have also been let go, while Senior Writer Sheryl Chee, who wrote characters like Leliana, Isabela, Blackwall, and Harding, has been moved to EA’s Motive Studio.
As mentioned in an update from the studio’s General Manager, Gary McKay, the remaining staff, consisting primarily of long-time BioWare veterans, will continue working on the next Mass Effect title. The aim is to gradually expand the team as development progresses. It was mentioned that the intention is to transform BioWare into a “more agile, focused studio.” However, there was no mention of layoffs or the extent of permanent staff relocations.
