Yesterday, we covered the big news that EA would be sold to a group of investors consisting of Silver Lake, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners for roughly $55 billion. However, that also includes a whopping $20 billion in debt that will be taken on by EA from JPMorgan Chase, leaving many wondering if more mass layoffs and project cancellations are on the way. BioWare is especially worried about its future following the buyout.

While the deal is only expected to close in Q1 fiscal year 2027 (around April 2026), several anonymous employees at BioWare spoke to Insider Gaming recently, expressing their concerns about the studio’s future. Back in 2023, the studio’s headcount stood at over 200 employees but following Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s release not meeting EA’s expectations, a significant amount of job cuts later dwindled the company down to less than 100 employees – most of which are all-hands on the next Mass Effect game.



“Look at the negativity that came after Dragon Age,” said one employee. “If we felt it was only going to get worse then, you can imagine what some of us think now.” Another anonymous employee is already sorting out their portfolio and bracing for potential job cuts too. “I’ve been doing it since last year, but I’m making sure I have a portfolio ready and feelers out for other jobs. Kind of feels like a matter of time,” they said.

It’s hard to say what the impact of EA’s buyout will be on all of its developers but BioWare is in an especially vulnerable position right now, with a lot riding on the next Mass Effect to be a success. However, some sources are also preparing for the possibility that the plug could be pulled entirely on the project, though they’ll keep working on it. “We’re going to keep working until they tell us we’re done,” said an employee. “It’s not the healthiest way to live, but as long as the paychecks keep coming, we’re not going to just walk away.”