BioWare confirms layoffs as SWTOR transitions to new developer

BioWare has confirmed it will be laying off staff as part of the transition of Star Wars: The Old Republic to a new developer.

Confirming an earlier media report, the company said in a blog post on Tuesday that the 12-year-old MMO would soon be transitioned to Broasword, a company which already partners with EA managing the online development and operations of its classic MMOs Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot.

Broadsword’s president, Rob Denton, has direct experience with SWTOR, having helped lead the team during the launch of the game during his time at EA.

Although “most” of the current development team will be offered roles at Broadsword, according to BioWare, not every role will make the move.

“This is the hardest part of this transition, and these decisions were not made lightly,” wrote BioWare GM Gary McKay. “We are of course doing everything we can to support the affected team members, who have an opportunity to find new roles within EA.

“In addition, we’re aware that the team members who are being asked to move to a new studio will also be adapting to change, and we will be working with Broadsword to make the transition as comfortable as possible.

“In the long run, though, we are confident that this is the best decisionn for the game and its community. We at BioWare will miss being a part of SWTOR’s story going forward. But we also know that it will be in very good hands.”

Going forward, BioWare will focus on two key franchises: Mass Effect and Dragon Age, McKay said.

“As we look toward the future, BioWare is focused on being a leader in developing immersive, emotionally charged, single-player games, with teams primarily in Austin and Edmonton.

“This means a renewed focus on our two key franchises: Dragon Age and Mass Effect. For Dragon Age, we continue to build, polish, and tune an exceptional experience we know our fans will love.

“We can’t wait to share more on this soon. For Mass Effect, we continue pre-production with a core team of veteran storytellers who are bringing the deep franchise history forward in a spectacular new way.”