BioWare Staff Loaned to Other EA Studios May Not Return
A recent report indicates that some BioWare employees who were “loaned” to other EA studios may not be coming back.
Employees Moved to Other EA Studios
Studio general manager Gary McKay confirmed earlier this week that “many” employees had been transferred to other EA studios after the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The remaining core team is now solely focused on the development of Mass Effect 5.
Permanent Relocations
According to a report from Bloomberg, the temporary assignments of BioWare staff to support other EA teams have now turned into permanent relocations. Employees are no longer considered BioWare staff on temporary assignment but are now officially part of the EA subsidiary that borrowed them.
If they wish to return to BioWare in the future, they would need to seek out job openings and reapply for a position. This unexpected turn of events has left some employees on new teams at studios they had not initially planned to join. For many who joined BioWare to work on renowned role-playing game franchises, the idea of working on action or sports games was less appealing.
Impact on BioWare’s Headcount
This shift has reportedly led to a reduction in BioWare’s headcount from 200 to around 100 employees in just two years. Notable BioWare veteran Trick Weekes, known for their work on Dragon Age and Mass Effect, is among those who have announced they are now seeking new opportunities following the studio’s downsizing.