The Future of BioWare Staff at EA Studios
A new report has surfaced suggesting that some BioWare employees who were “loaned” to other EA studios may not be returning to their original positions. This comes amid rumors of potential layoffs at BioWare, with studio general manager Gary McKay confirming that many employees have been reassigned to other EA projects after the completion of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The remaining core team is now fully dedicated to working on Mass Effect 5.
Permanent Relocations
Bloomberg is now reporting that what started as temporary assignments for BioWare staff to support EA teams elsewhere have now turned into permanent relocations. According to sources familiar with the situation, these employees are no longer considered BioWare staff on temporary assignments but are now fully employed by the EA subsidiaries that borrowed them. This change means that if they wish to return to BioWare in the future, they will have to apply for job openings just like any other external candidate.
Challenges Faced by Employees
For some employees, this shift has been met with mixed feelings. Many had joined BioWare to work on renowned role-playing game franchises and now find themselves on new teams at studios they had not planned to be a part of. The prospect of working on different genres like action or sports games may not be as appealing to them, leading to a sense of unease about their future career paths.
The downsizing of BioWare has also resulted in a significant reduction in headcount, with the staff numbers dropping from 200 to approximately 100 within just two years. This restructuring has left many veteran employees like Trick Weekes, known for their work on Dragon Age and Mass Effect, seeking new opportunities elsewhere.
Video Teaser for Mass Effect
A teaser trailer for the upcoming Mass Effect game was shared in 2020, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect from the highly anticipated title. You can watch the trailer on YouTube to get a sneak peek into the next installment of the beloved franchise.
FAQs
Q: What led to the relocation of BioWare staff to other EA studios?
A: The relocation of BioWare staff to other EA studios was initially intended as temporary assignments to support projects outside of BioWare. However, these assignments have now become permanent relocations, with employees now working for the EA subsidiaries that borrowed them.
Q: How have employees reacted to this change?
A: Some employees have expressed disappointment and concern about being moved to new teams at studios they had not planned to join. The shift from working on role-playing games to other genres like action or sports games has been a challenging adjustment for some staff members.
Q: What impact has this had on BioWare’s workforce?
A: The downsizing of BioWare has resulted in a significant reduction in headcount, with the staff numbers dropping from 200 to around 100 in just two years. Veteran employees like Trick Weekes have announced their departure from BioWare as they seek new opportunities following the restructuring.
Credit: www.eurogamer.net
