More developers are leaving BioWare. Writers, producers, and designers are looking for work

Yesterdays news brought word of significant shifts happening at BioWare. According to their official announcement, the studio is streamlining its operations primarily for the production of Mass Effect 5. Some team members have also been reassigned to work on different projects within EA.

It has been reported that Dragon Age: The Veilguard failed to meet expectations, which may lead to job losses within the company. However, Electronic Arts has not provided a definitive statement on this issue. Recently, it appears that some employees have announced their departures.

Layoffs at BioWare

Over the past couple of months, I’ve noticed some familiar faces departing from BioWare. Recently, Corinne Busche and Sylvia Feketekuty, both long-time developers, bid their farewells. Lately, posts by more studio veterans announcing their departure have been popping up on social media.

  1. Trick Weekes – Lead Writer for The Veilguard, working at BioWare since 2005;
  2. Karin Weekes – Lead Editor, working at BioWare since 2006;
  3. Ryan Cormier – Narrative Editor, working at BioWare since 2016;
  4. Jennifer Cheverie Cott – Producer working at BioWare since 2011;
  5. Sheryl Chee – Senior Writer associated with BioWare since 2005; she has currently moved to EA Motive;
  6. Michelle Flamm – Senior Systems Designer, associated with BioWare since 2022.

It’s clear that the list comprises individuals who have spent a considerable amount of time in the studio. Given that more employees may share updates like this in the future, the roster could grow. However, it’s worth noting that there might be fewer long-term employees staying at BioWare, as pointed out by Ann Lemay.

For five years, between 2011 and 2016, I worked as a writer at BioWare. During this period, I had the opportunity to learn from extraordinary individuals across various fields, but I particularly benefited from my fellow writers and our exceptional editors within both the Mass Effect (ME) and Dragon Age (DA) brands.

Today, not a single one of those writers & editors remains employed there.

As a die-hard Mass Effect fan, I’ve got to admit, there’s an increasing sense of anticipation mixed with apprehension swirling around in me about the upcoming Mass Effect 5. Frankly, I find myself growing less confident by the day that it will live up to our collective hopes and dreams. On the other hand, I can’t help but be intrigued by Exodus, a game where some of the BioWare legends are hard at work. The fact that it seems to capture the essence of the original trilogy has definitely piqued my interest.

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2025-01-31 04:02