BioWare is reportedly now down to fewer than 100 employees after a round of layoffs and staff exits following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and a restructure to focus on the next Mass Effect game.

There is really no getting around the fact that BioWare is in dire straits at the moment, now at the end of a decade of three missed opportunities

Dragon Age and Mass Effect studio BioWare has been hit by layoffs following the underperformance of its flagship RPG Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

The studio is said to have less than 100 active employees at the moment, which constitutes fewer than half of the BioWare staff levels reported in 2023. The drastic downsizing is a mix of layoffs and reshuffles, with company veterans such as Dragon Age lead writer Trick Weekes finding themselves out of a job.

I think there is a game where you could combine the more action-based moment-to-moment combat with a great deal more tactical depth. There’s no reason a pause-play option couldn’t exist alongside the flashier melee and magic.

The Veilguard finished, Bioware has set its sights to the stars with the next Mass Effect game. As such, the developer restructured the studio, claiming it does not require the support of a full studio.

BioWare is becoming a "more agile" and "focused" studio that aims to make "unforgettable" games, beginning with the next Mass Effect.

Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love Issues delivered straight to your door or device

According to IGN, "a number" of BioWare developers have been placed by EA into other equivalent roles within the company. Howeer, a smaller number of Dragon Age staff members are also seeing their positions shelved, and are being offered time to apply to other roles within the company (if they so wish).