Dragon Age: Veilguard Development Team Faces Layoffs as Mass Effect Progresses Under Seasoned Veterans

Layoffs Shake Up BioWare Following Launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard

In a significant development within the gaming industry, BioWare has announced layoffs for developers and writers involved in the creation of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Meanwhile, the studio shifts its focus to the much-anticipated next installment of the Mass Effect series, spearheaded by experienced veterans from the original trilogy.

BioWare’s Recent Studio Update

In a blog post released yesterday, BioWare provided insights into the ongoing changes within the studio. Following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, a streamlined team is now dedicated to developing the upcoming Mass Effect title. This team is guided by industry veterans like Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, and Parrish Ley. According to BioWare, with the current state of game development, the studio does not require the full workforce, leading to a restructuring aimed at reassessing staffing roles within EA, where many employees were reportedly matched with open positions.

Reality Behind the Restructuring

However, this restructuring has resulted in noticeable layoffs. Reports from LinkedIn and Bluesky pointed to the departures of key personnel working on Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The list of affected employees includes:

Lead Writer Trick Weekes
Lead Editor Karin West-Weekes
Narrative Editor Ryan Cormier
Producer Jennifer Cheverie Cott
Associate Game Producer Daniel Steed
Senior Product Manager Lina Anderson
Senior Systems Designer Michelle Flamm

Sources, including Insider Gaming’s Mike Straw, confirm that up to a few dozen developers have also been affected. The underwhelming performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard—with only 1.5 million players, which is nearly 50% below targets—has undoubtedly impacted these decisions. While BioWare’s characterization of these layoffs as a restructuring effort may reflect business strategy, it raises questions about transparency regarding employee welfare.

Game Availability

For those interested in exploring Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the game is now available across multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S globally.

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