Electronic Arts is reshaping its videogame empire in a sweeping restructuring that will eliminate approximately 3% of its global workforce, shut down legendary developer BioWare and halt development of a new “Mass Effect” title.

The changes mark EA’s first major operational move since the company completed its $55 billion privatization deal this summer. The restructuring signals a significant shift in the publisher’s priorities as it prepares for the next chapter of the interactive entertainment industry.

In a memo sent to employees Wednesday, Cam Weber, EA’s president and chief studios officer, and David Tinson, president and chief operating officer, outlined the company’s plans to reorganize its studios and concentrate resources on selected franchises.

“Over the past several months, we’ve taken a hard look at our business, how we operate, and what it will take to lead in this next era of interactive entertainment,” the executives said.

EA last reported approximately 14,500 employees, meaning the workforce reductions could affect around 400 workers worldwide.

BioWare Closing Marks the End of a Legendary Era

Among the most consequential changes is the shutdown of BioWare, the Canadian studio renowned for helping shape the role-playing game genre. EA has decided to discontinue development of a new “Mass Effect” installment, bringing the studio’s future into question as part of the broader restructuring.

The company will also close BioWare’s office in Edmonton, Canada, ending the operation of a studio that played a defining role in modern videogame storytelling.

“BioWare is a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre, and we do not take this decision lightly,” Weber and Tinson said.

The announcement places one of gaming’s best-known developers at the center of EA’s strategic overhaul. For fans of BioWare’s role-playing franchises, the closure represents a major change in the landscape of story-driven gaming.

Battlefield Success Fuels New Studio Collaboration

While the BioWare shutdown signals a retreat in one area, EA is expanding collaboration elsewhere. The executives described first-person shooter “Battlefield 6” as “a great success,” saying the company learned valuable lessons from the game's launch and live-service operations.

Looking ahead, EA plans to bring its Respawn and DICE studios together to collaborate on a future project, alongside additional “Battlefield” installments.

Although the executives did not publicly identify the project, multiple sources confirmed that it is “Star Wars: Battlefront 3,” based on the Lucasfilm franchise.

Apex Legends Remains a Major Investment

EA also plans to continue investing heavily in “Apex Legends” over the next several years.

The company intends to introduce new multiplayer gameplay modes and other experiences, signaling that the franchise will remain an important part of its long-term strategy.

In the action-adventure category, EA reaffirmed its commitment to two major upcoming releases: “Marvel’s Iron Man” and the next installment in the “Star Wars Jedi” series.

These projects are expected to remain key components of the publisher’s future release lineup as it reallocates resources across its studios.

EA Sports Prepares New Projects and Fight Night Return

EA Sports is also preparing fresh developments, with two projects scheduled to be revealed over the coming months.

One is “Project Gridiron,” described by the executives as a new social-first, open-world experience being developed by the company's American football team.

The publisher is also in pre-production on a revival of “Fight Night,” its fan-favorite boxing franchise that has been absent for 15 years.

The planned return could revive a series that has long been missing from EA's sports lineup, although the company has not yet disclosed further details about the project.

The Sims and Skate Face Development Changes

EA's lifestyle games are also undergoing adjustments as the company seeks to strengthen the long-term prospects of “The Sims” and skateboarding title “Skate.”

For “The Sims,” the executives said the company would prioritize “Project Evergreen,” giving the development team additional time to realize its vision and reach the game's full potential. To support that effort, EA is pausing development on “Project Lotus.”

The changes suggest a more concentrated approach to the franchise, with resources directed toward a priority project rather than spread across multiple initiatives.

Skate Moves Toward a Smaller Team

For “Skate,” EA plans to restructure the development studio around a smaller, more focused team.

The executives said the changes would help developers follow a clearer roadmap for the community while building a healthier and more sustainable business.

The adjustments form part of a broader strategy to concentrate investment on projects EA believes can deliver stronger long-term results.

$55 Billion Privatization Precedes EA Overhaul

The restructuring follows EA's completion on Aug. 4 of an announced private-equity transaction valued at $55 billion.

The all-cash deal involved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, taking the videogame publisher private.

With the ownership transition completed, EA is now reshaping its development operations, reducing its workforce and redirecting resources among major franchises.

The BioWare shutdown stands as the most striking consequence of the overhaul, while planned investments in “Battlefield,” “Apex Legends,” EA Sports and other properties point to where the company intends to focus next.