Editing BioWare (section)

===2020s: New ''Dragon Age'' and ''Mass Effect'' games===

On 7 November 2020 or "N7 Day", a date first declared in 2012 by BioWare as an annual "worldwide celebration" of the ''Mass Effect franchise'', ''[[Mass Effect: Legendary Edition]]'' was announced as well as an all-new entry to the franchise that had just started development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bioware-reportedly-confirms-a-new-mass-effect-game-alongside-remasters/|title=BioWare confirms a brand new Mass Effect and remasters are coming|work=[[Video Games Chronicle]]|date=7 November 2020|access-date=12 October 2022|archive-date=12 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012034724/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bioware-reportedly-confirms-a-new-mass-effect-game-alongside-remasters/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, on 3 December, both Hudson and Mark Darrah, the executive producer on the ''Dragon Age'' series, announced their departures from the studio. Electronic Arts stated that work on the ''Mass Effect'' and ''Dragon Age'' games would still continue at the studio.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://kotaku.com/bioware-studio-head-dragon-age-producer-both-leave-stu-1845802859| title = BioWare Studio Head, Dragon Age Producer Both Leave Studio| first = Ash| last = Parrish| date = 3 December 2020| access-date = 3 December 2020| work = [[Kotaku]]| archive-date = 3 December 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201203212254/https://kotaku.com/bioware-studio-head-dragon-age-producer-both-leave-stu-1845802859| url-status = live}}</ref> A week later, a teaser trailer for the next ''Mass Effect'' game was shown at [[The Game Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/a-first-mass-effect-trailer-was-shown-at-the-game-awards/|title=A first Mass Effect trailer was shown at the Game Awards|work=CNET|date=10 December 2020|access-date=20 December 2020|archive-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211025352/https://www.cnet.com/news/a-first-mass-effect-trailer-was-shown-at-the-game-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 May 2021, ''[[Mass Effect: Legendary Edition]]'' was released on [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 4]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psu.com/reviews/mass-effect-legendary-edition-review-ps4/ | title=Mass Effect Legendary Edition Review (PS4) – A Solid And Impactful Remaster To One Of The Greatest Trilogies In Gaming | first=Neil | last=Bolt | date=20 May 2021 | access-date=10 June 2021 | work=PSU | archive-date=10 June 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610222943/https://www.psu.com/reviews/mass-effect-legendary-edition-review-ps4/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Xbox One]] series.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/05/14/mass-effect-legendary-edition-now-available/ | title= Mass Effect Legendary Edition Now Available for Xbox One and Xbox Series... | first= Mike | last= Nelson | date= 14 May 2021 | access-date= 10 June 2021 | work= [[Xbox]] | archive-date= 10 June 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210610215443/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/05/14/mass-effect-legendary-edition-now-available/ | url-status= live }}</ref>

On 23 August 2023, about 50 BioWare developers were laid off.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Square |first=Push |date=2023-08-23 |title=BioWare Cuts Roughly 50 Jobs, But Still Confident Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Will Reach 'Full Potential' |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/08/bioware-cuts-roughly-50-jobs-but-still-confident-dragon-age-dreadwolf-will-reach-full-potential |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB |archive-date=28 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828191018/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/08/bioware-cuts-roughly-50-jobs-but-still-confident-dragon-age-dreadwolf-will-reach-full-potential |url-status=live }}</ref> A group of former employees later sued EA, seeking better severance following their layoffs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-04 |title=Former Dragon Age staff seek further compensation following layoffs |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/former-dragon-age-staff-seek-further-compensation-following-layoffs |access-date=2024-03-02 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004180716/https://www.eurogamer.net/former-dragon-age-staff-seek-further-compensation-following-layoffs |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 31 October 2024, the fourth instalment in the Dragon Age series, ''[[Dragon Age: The Veilguard]]'', was released. The game received "generally favorable" reviews from critics according to the [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon Age: The Veilguard (PC Critic Reviews) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-age-the-veilguard/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon Age: The Veilguard (PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-age-the-veilguard/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Xbox Series X Critic Reviews) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-age-the-veilguard/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' described the sales as "decent" but said the numbers may not have pleased publisher EA.<ref name=":16">{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2025-01-17 |title=Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director leaving BioWare |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/dragon-age-the-veilguard-game-director-leaving-bioware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121093502/https://www.eurogamer.net/dragon-age-the-veilguard-game-director-leaving-bioware |archive-date=2025-01-21 |access-date=2025-01-21 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |quote=Critically, The Veilguard has been received well, and commercially sales have been decent - but there's also been a suggestion that sales have not exceeded expectations.}}</ref> ''Dragon Age: The Veilguard'' was [[Review bomb|review bombed]] by users for being "'[[woke]],' '[[DEI]],' '[[propaganda]],' and '[[Gay agenda|agenda-driven]]'" on Metacritic, causing the platform to respond with a statement and by removing user reviews which had violated their guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tassi |first=Paul |title=Metacritic Responds To ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’ Review Bombing |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/11/06/metacritic-responds-to-dragon-age-the-veilguard-review-bombing/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> ''Veilguard'' is the first BioWare game that allows the player character to identify as [[transgender]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=2024-11-06 |title=Why the Dragon Age: The Veilguard team designed its trans-inclusive storylines |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/474954/dragon-age-the-veilguard-gender-trans-nonbinary-interview |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> On 7 November 2024, or "N7 Day", BioWare released a patch which added several ''Mass Effect''-inspired costumes into the game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2024-11-08 |title=Dragon Age: The Veilguard's first patch adds some Mass Effect flair to your wardrobe |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/dragon-age-the-veilguards-first-patch-adds-some-mass-effect-flair-to-your-wardrobe/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}}</ref> In late October 2024, following the release of ''Veilguard'', creative director John Epler stated that BioWare's attention had "shifted entirely to the next ''Mass Effect'' [game]" in an interview with [[Rolling Stone]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=George |date=2024-10-31 |title='Dragon Age: The Veilguard' Is Bioware's Best Game in Ages. Here's How They Got There |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/dragon-age-the-veilguard-john-epler-interview-1235147001/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Veilguard'' game director Corinne Busche exited BioWare for a role at a different company in January 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-01-17 |title=Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director leaving BioWare |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/dragon-age-the-veilguard-game-director-leaving-bioware |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref>

[[Amazon MGM Studios]] officially confirmed on 7 November 2024 that a ''Mass Effect'' TV series is in development, following negotiations that had started in late 2021. BioWare executive producer Michael Gamble will also act as an executive producer on the TV adaptation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2024-11-07 |title=‘Mass Effect’ TV Series in the Works at Amazon From ‘Fast & Furious 9’ Writer (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/mass-effect-tv-series-amazon-writer-marvel-1236203755/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2021-11-23 |title=‘The Wheel Of Time’ Makes Strong Debut As Amazon Prime Video Doubles Down On Genre With ‘Mass Effect’ Adaptation & Prepares To Usher In ‘LOTR’ |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/the-wheel-of-time-premiere-ratings-amazon-prime-video-mass-effect-lort-of-the-rings-jennifer-salke-qa-1234879517/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In January 2025, EA lowered its upcoming annual revenue forecast due to the underperformance of both ''[[EA Sports FC 25]]'' and ''Veilguard''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kachwala |first=Zaheer |date=January 23, 2025 |title=EA shares slump after soccer game misses goal |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/ea-shares-slump-after-annual-forecast-cut-fans-fears-over-soccer-franchise-2025-01-23/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=EA blames ‘underperformance’ of Dragon Age and EA FC25, as it lowers forecast |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ea-blames-underperformance-of-dragon-age-and-ea-fc25-as-it-lowers-forecast/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=VGC |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2025-01-22 |title=Electronic Arts says 'Dragon Age and EA Sports FC 25 underperformed' as it revises its financial outlook downward |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/electronic-arts-says-dragon-age-and-ea-sports-fc-25-underperformed-as-it-revises-its-financial-outlook-downward/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> EA stated that ''Veilguard'' had "engaged" 1.5 million players during the three months ending December 31, 2024, underperforming their expectations by half.<ref name="Bloomberg on downsize" />{{Efn|EA has not defined "engagement". ''IGN'' highlights that EA does not differentiate between unit sales or players acquired through EA's Play Pro subscription service.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2025-01-22 |title=Dragon Age: The Veilguard Had 1.5 Million Players in First Two Months, EA Expected 3 Million |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dragon-age-the-veilguard-had-15-million-players-in-first-two-months-ea-expected-3-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126092132/https://www.ign.com/articles/dragon-age-the-veilguard-had-15-million-players-in-first-two-months-ea-expected-3-million |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |quote=Notably, EA does not say the 1.5 million number was unit sales - Dragon Age: The Veilguard was also available as a part of EA's Play Pro subscription service. Additionally, it's not clear whether EA is counting a free trial of the game that was available through the cheaper EA Play subscription in the 1.5 million number either.}}</ref>}} Later that month, EA restructured and downsized BioWare.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2025-01-30 |title=BioWare veterans confirm they were laid off by EA, including senior Dragon Age and Mass Effect devs |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/bioware-veterans-confirm-they-were-laid-off-by-ea-including-senior-dragon-age-and-mass-effect-devs/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>  While a small ''Mass Effect'' team was retained to continue work, the studio "is now down from more than 200 people two years ago to less than 100 today".<ref name="Bloomberg on downsize">{{Cite news |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=January 31, 2025 |title=Electronic Arts Slashes BioWare After 'Dragon Age' Sales Miss |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-01-31/electronic-arts-slashes-bioware-after-dragon-age-sales-miss |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250131193538/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-01-31/electronic-arts-slashes-bioware-after-dragon-age-sales-miss |archive-date=January 31, 2025 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref> This restructuring included layoffs in the ''Dragon Age'' team,''<ref name=":0" />'' with IGN noting that "terminated" employees "are being offered time to apply to other roles within the company if they so choose".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2025-01-30 |title=Dragon Age Developers Reveal They’ve Been Laid Off After BioWare Puts ‘Full Focus’ on Mass Effect |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dragon-age-developers-reveal-theyve-been-laid-off-after-bioware-puts-full-focus-on-mass-effect |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] stated that some BioWare employees were "loaned out to other teams within their parent company" and then later informed "that the loans had morphed into permanent relocations" to various EA subsidiaries.<ref name="Bloomberg on downsize" /> ''[[PC Gamer]]'' highlighted that "well-known BioWare veterans" are no longer at the company and "collectively, the cuts represent a major loss of creative talent for the studio, and bears echoes of BioWare's layoff of roughly 50 employees in 2023".<ref name=":0" />