Developer Bioware Studio took to the official blogs with a new update regarding its future and the development of the next Mass Effect game. The studio is changing the approach of how they build games to “meet the needs of the upcoming projects and hold the team to the highest quality standards”.
With Dragon Age: The Veilguard released and seemingly done completely, a core team at BioWare is developing the next Mass Effect game under the leadership of veterans from the original trilogy, including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others.
“Given this stage of development, we don’t require support from the full studio. We have incredible talent here at BioWare, and so we have worked diligently over the past few months to match many of our colleagues with other teams at EA that had open roles that were a strong fit. Today’s news will see BioWare become a more agile, focused studio that produces unforgettable RPGs. We appreciate your support as we build a new future for BioWare.”
While the blog post delivers the update with pretty words that focus on the studio’s newfound agility, in reality it means that a number of people are being let go or moved to other Electronic Arts’ studios. This change in the studio’s direction comes a week after EA revealed that Dragon Age fell 50% short of the publisher’s expectations.
Previously, Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director Corinne Busche left Bioware for a new opportunity. Now, the game’s lead writer is looking for a new workplace. Trick Weekes had written for both Dragon Age (Trespasser, Solas, etc.) and Mass Effect (Mordin), and penned Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, a book exploring the politics of Orlais, in addition to short stories in Tevinter Nights. Lead Editor Karin West-Weekes and Narrative Editor Ryan Cormier were also quietly laid off. Senior Writer Sheryl Chee was moved to Motive Studio.
