Electronic Arts shut downs Edmonton’s BioWare amid broader layoffs
Electronic Arts is shutting down the BioWare studio in Edmonton as part of a broader layoff of 400 employees. The closure also results in the cancellation of the upcoming Mass Effect game.
Why it matters
This move highlights ongoing instability in the gaming industry and the decline of a historically significant development studio.
Game maker Electronic Arts laid off 400 employees, including 50 at BioWare, according to a Bloomberg report. Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press
Video game publisher Electronic Arts is shutting down the popular and influential game development studio BioWare after more than three decades. The upcoming Mass Effect game, the fifth since 2007, has been cancelled.
Edmonton-based BioWare announced the closure on social media Wednesday following a report by Bloomberg that also said the company is laying off 400 people, including about 50 at BioWare.
The Redwood Shores, California-based maker of popular titles like Battlefield and The Sims closed the US$55-billion sale of its business to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, investment firm Silver Lake Partners and Affinity Partners, which is run by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, in August.
Representatives for EA did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the layoffs.
Headlinne story · 7 newsrooms
Electronic Arts Closes Legendary Game Studio BioWare After Three Decades
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
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