BioWare Shutdown refers to the shutdown of BioWare, the Edmonton-based video game developer known for creating franchises such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Baldur's Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Announced on October 21, 2026, the closure marks the end of more than 30 years of game development at the studio, with Electronic Arts (EA) also confirming the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game and the closure of BioWare's Edmonton workspace.
The announcement prompted discussion surrounding the studio's legacy, its recent commercial performance and the broader impact of EA's restructuring. The closure also came just months after EA completed a $55 billion leveraged buyout led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners in August 2026.