Electronic Arts

EA has closed studio BioWare, cancelled its forthcoming Mass Effect project and will lay off more than 400 employees. The closure follows years without a major hit from the studio and comes as EA faces heavy debt after a leveraged buyout involving Jared Kushner and a Saudi wealth fund. Fans and industry figures mourn the loss of a studio credited with defining modern single‑player RPGs. » More on theguardian.com

Electronic Arts has closed the Edmonton studio Bioware, founded in 1995, and abandoned development of a new Mass Effect project. Bioware, known for series such as Dragon Age, Mass Effect and Baldur's Gate, is thus being shut down. EA cites a focus on fewer, but more extensive, initiatives as the reason for the decision. » More on finanzen.net

Electronic Arts will lay off 400 employees (about 3 percent of its workforce) as part of a restructuring and will close the Bioware studio. Work on the new Mass Effect has been halted; roughly 50 Bioware employees are directly affected. EA says it will focus going forward on high-revenue franchises such as FIFA and Madden; several projects like “Lotus” (The Sims) have been stopped, and the Skate team has been reduced. The measures come against the backdrop of high debt following a takeover by investors. » More on n-tv.de