Electronic Arts plans to close BioWare’s Edmonton studio and stop work on its next Mass Effect game, while Bloomberg reports the publisher is preparing about 400 job cuts. EA announced the studio decision Oct. 21 and said the game was in early development.
EA attributed its portfolio review to intensifying competition for players. The company said it plans to put more investment into established franchises while looking for growth in new areas.
The changes also affect other projects. EA is pausing Project Lotus, a planned The Sims title, and focusing on Project Evergreen. The team working on skate. is also set to become smaller.
Bloomberg said the planned cuts would amount to about 3% of EA’s workforce, with roughly 50 positions at BioWare. The outlet cited a person familiar with the plans. The estimate is separate from EA’s announcement of the studio closure.
The reductions come after EA’s move into private ownership in August through a $55 billion leveraged buyout led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Bloomberg reported. Bloomberg also said the deal added about $18 billion in debt. The Associated Press reported that Silver Lake Partners and Affinity Partners were also buyers.
BioWare dates to 1995, and EA acquired the studio in 2007, the Associated Press reported. EA said it would help affected employees explore other roles within the company. It plans to discuss its direction and upcoming work at a global town hall in November.
