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Bioware is working on a new Mass Effect game with less than 100 people

Things aren't looking great for BioWare as the studio is left with less than 100 employees for developing new Mass Effect game. Check out what happened at Sportsinfo

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Mayank
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Dragon Age The Veilguard

Bioware left with less than 100 devs to make a new game Photograph: (BioWare)

Recent changes in BioWare headcount have reportedly left the studio with less than 100 people. As per the official statement from the studio, they did not need as many developers at the current stage of development. However, the relocated employees are now permanent employees of EA or its other subsidiaries.

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As reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, this leaves the entire workload of the upcoming Mass Effect game in less than 100 employees, unless they hire more as the development progresses. While there are veterans who worked on the original trilogy, it’s a Mass Effect game, and everyone is expecting a lot more.

The current situation feels like activating a modifier inside a video game where BioWare is left to do more with less. Employees who were shifted to help across other projects are now part of that studio. “If they want to work at BioWare again in the future, they would have to look for job openings and re-apply,” Schreier revealed.

Bioware studio changes leave many unemployed

Not everyone got a second chance following Dragon Age The Veiguard underperforming. While the relocated employees were not told this would be a permanent thing, the remaining got the short end of the stick as the ones who did not fit anywhere were let go.

The report reveals the most recent changes left dozens unemployed. Something similar happened last year too with 50 roles terminated where some people were provided opportunities across other studios. At the time BioWare had over 200 employees meaning the current change affected even more people.

Also Read: BioWare is working on a new Mass Effect game with less manpower

Can BioWare make a good Mass Effect game with 100 developers?

Making a AAA game in this day is tough and while BioWare may have backing from EA, less than 100 people isn’t ideal. Mass Effect being an extensive RPG game makes it much harder. For instance, The Witcher 3 started with 150 people which later increased to over 250 with help from many others and still had crunch time. While not impossible, it is very close to the word so we might see the developer count go up eventually.

BioWare Electronic Arts
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