On October 21, 2026, EA abruptly announced a restructuring of its development operations that will shut down BioWare after more than 30 years and end work on the next "Mass Effect" game. The news stunned fans and prompted developers across the industry to mourn the studio behind RPG classics including "Baldur's Gate."
In an internal memo, EA executives said a small BioWare team had been handling early development on the project, but the company decided to end production and close the studio's Edmonton office. The memo described BioWare as a legendary studio that helped define the RPG genre and said the decision was not made lightly.
Following the announcement, many players directed their anger at EA. One fan said they had been eagerly awaiting N7 Day and the next "Mass Effect," calling the original trilogy one of their favorite gaming experiences and lamenting that the series was now over for good. Others urged EA to sell the "Mass Effect" and "Dragon Age" IPs so another company could continue their stories instead of holding those worlds hostage.
CD PROJEKT RED Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski recalled that BioWare once provided its game engine to help create the original "The Witcher," shared development expertise and even offered the team booth space at E3.
He said it was painful to watch a legendary name fall, adding that it was not a good day for the video game industry.
Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke, whose company developed "Baldur's Gate 3," said it was difficult to imagine a future in which people discussed new RPGs without BioWare's name coming up.
Vincke thanked the studio for its games, the countless hours players spent with them and all the stories it created, adding that the team should be proud of everything it accomplished.
BioWare also issued a farewell statement, emphasizing that the studio had been more than a workplace—it was a home shared by creators and players. The developer thanked fans for playing its games, debating their choices and falling in love with its characters, turning those fictional worlds into memories shared by generations.
via： IGN