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BioWare announced in August 2023 that it would eliminate about 50 roles as part of a studio reorganization. Separately, Keywords Studios laid off 13 unionized Edmonton-area QA employees after a fixed-term contract supporting Dragon Age: Dreadwolf ended. The available reporting does not establish that the contract or layoffs were a response to unionization.
Two workforce actions involving different employers
| Event | Employer and workers | What was reported | Stated explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | BioWare employees | BioWare announced it would eliminate approximately 50 roles. | BioWare described the change as a reorganization to make the studio more agile and focused on upcoming projects. |
| October 2023 | Keywords Studios QA employees in the Edmonton area | Game Developer reported that Keywords laid off 13 unionized employees after its fixed-term support contract for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf ended. | Keywords told Game Developer that the contract was not renewed solely because of an unsuccessful commercial negotiation on business terms. |
These figures refer to separate actions by separate employers. The Keywords employees were not part of BioWare’s approximately 50 role eliminations. BioWare’s August 23, 2023 announcement; Game Developer’s October 5, 2023 report, updated October 6.
Why did BioWare announce approximately 50 role eliminations?
BioWare General Manager Gary McKay said the studio was reorganizing to meet the needs of upcoming projects and to operate as a more agile, focused studio. In his August 23, 2023 statement, he wrote: “As part of this transition, we are eliminating approximately 50 roles at BioWare.”
McKay framed the decision as a shift in how the studio was organized, rather than giving a detailed role-by-role explanation. BioWare said it would provide professional resources and help affected employees apply for suitable open positions at other EA studios. The announcement did not say that BioWare was ending the Keywords contract or laying off Keywords employees.
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What happened to the unionized Keywords QA workers?
The 13 workers were Keywords employees who had unionized while supporting Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, then in development. Game Developer reported that BioWare did not continue the fixed-term development-support contract with Keywords after September 2023. Keywords then decided whether to retain the workers; the company laid off 13 in the Edmonton area.
Former tester James Russwurm told Game Developer that Keywords’ position was that “there is no more work available” for the team. The report also said the workers had not yet signed a contract with Keywords.
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Did the contract end because the workers unionized?
That has not been established. Game Developer reported that it was impossible to determine whether the contract and employment decisions reflected only cost management or were a response to unionization. Keywords’ explanation, as reported by the outlet, was that non-renewal resulted “solely due to an unsuccessful commercial negotiation on business terms.” That is the company’s stated rationale, not independent proof of motive.
It is therefore accurate to say that the contract ended, Keywords laid off 13 unionized QA workers, and the reporting did not settle whether unionization played a role. It is not accurate to present retaliation by BioWare or Keywords as a confirmed fact.
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What became of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf?
The project was called Dragon Age: Dreadwolf during the 2023 contract story. BioWare later released the game as Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In a January 29, 2025 studio update, BioWare said that The Veilguard had been released and that a core BioWare team was developing the next Mass Effect game. BioWare’s January 29, 2025 update.
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