EA and BioWare’s Hiring Spree After Layoffs: An Underperformer Purge?

EA and BioWare’s goes on a curious hiring spree after cutting key talent from Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Is this growth or just a soft reboot with fewer familiar faces?

In a move raising questions across the gaming community, EA and BioWare are hiring again—just months after laying off hundreds, including key writers and producers from Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

According to 80.lv, the restructuring began in January 2025, with longtime contributors like narrative designer Trick Weekes and editors Karin West-Weekes and Ryan Cormier among those laid off. Now, The Gamer reports that BioWare is back on the hunt for new talent for Mass Effect 5, including narrative directors and level designers.

Meanwhile, EA’s May earnings call touted “accelerated growth,” even after eliminating more than 300 positions—including 100 at Respawn—per Game Developer.

The Layoff Bloodbath: Who Got the Axe?

BioWare’s cuts were significant. Though EA didn’t release specific numbers, the layoffs included some of the studio’s most experienced Dragon Age developers. While a few were reassigned within EA, many were not. These layoffs came on the heels of BioWare’s 2023 downsizing, which affected 50 employees. EA’s broader workforce reduction in May 2025 hit several divisions, suggesting a consistent trend.

It’s a familiar cycle: scale back, restructure, rebuild.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s High-Profile Flop

Released on October 31, 2024, The Veilguard was expected to reignite the Dragon Age brand. It didn’t.

Though it earned an 80 on OpenCritic, the game underperformed commercially, selling 1.5 million fewer copies than EA anticipated, per 80.lv. Reactions were mixed. Some players enjoyed the fresh party dynamics, while others criticized the game for drifting too far from classic RPG mechanics. Director Corinne Busche exited soon after launch, moving to a different studio.

During earnings discussions, EA referred to The Veilguard—along with EA Sports FC 2024—as an “underperformer,” per The Gamer.

Hiring Again: A Fresh Start or a Strategic Reset?

Now, BioWare is staffing up for Mass Effect 5. EA says it’s about becoming a “more agile, focused studio” and aligning teams with “strategic priorities.”

But the optics raise questions. The layoffs disproportionately impacted the Veilguard team, and the new hires suggest EA may be clearing the board to start fresh with new developers. It’s a move that looks like a reboot, framed as growth.

This approach isn’t new for EA. Veterans of Anthem likely remember similar shifts.

What’s Next for EA and BioWare?

BioWare’s new “core team” is leading the charge on Mass Effect 5, and longtime fans are cautiously optimistic. Still, the studio’s recent track record—from Anthem to The Veilguard—has many watching with a mix of hope and skepticism.

Beyond the games, there’s a human cost. Game Developer reports that 77% of laid-off game developers struggle to land new roles within six months. Restructuring may be part of business, but for those impacted, it’s far from just numbers on a quarterly report.

Whether this hiring wave marks the beginning of a new golden age for BioWare—or just another corporate reshuffle—remains to be seen.

Sources:

• 80.lv, “Confirmed: Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Writers, Producers Laid Off As Part Of BioWare’s Restructuring,” January 29, 2025

• The Gamer, “Mass Effect 5: BioWare Is Hiring Again After Layoffs,” April 30, 2025

• Game Developer, “EA Says Business Primed For Accelerated Growth Following Layoffs,” May 6, 2025

News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Steven “Edgar” Bubbles / Published on May 7, 2025