Former BioWare Employees Sue for Adequate Severance
2 min read
In recent news, seven former employees of the renowned RPG studio, BioWare, have filed a lawsuit seeking “adequate severance” after the studio laid off around 50 of its employees, including some who had been with the company for over two decades. This move was attributed to BioWare’s stated “shift towards a more agile and more focused studio.” Now, a group of former employees is striving for better compensation.
These former employees have filed a statement, stating, “Edmonton video game studio BioWare ULC terminated 50 employees without cause.” They further argue that, in most recent court cases of termination without cause in Alberta, employees have been awarded at least one month of severance pay for each year of service, with all benefits included. It is essential to note that these employees, collectively, have an average of 14 years of service at BioWare.
However, the severance offered by BioWare to these employees fell significantly short of this standard. The statement goes on to explain that several of these former employees tried to negotiate with BioWare for adequate severance, but the studio refused to increase the amounts.
One of the terminated employees expressed their concern about the upcoming holiday season, as they foresee difficulties in finding new work. This concern is partially due to BioWare’s non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which restrict developers from showcasing their work on Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in their portfolios. The anxieties also stem from a series of recent industry layoffs, with companies like Naughty Dog, Epic Games, and Team17 also experiencing staff reductions.
The former employees express their ongoing support for the games they’ve worked on and their colleagues who continue the work. However, they are bewildered by why BioWare appears to be shortchanging them during these challenging times. Notably, the parent company, EA, had previously announced a corporate “restructuring” that included layoffs affecting 6% of the company’s workforce, despite operating from a position of strength.
The group’s lawyer, R. Alex Kennedy, emphasizes that these individuals are artists and creators who have contributed significantly to the gaming industry, generating substantial profits for their employer. The mass termination without cause has raised concerns and calls for a response.
Despite these issues, development on Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and the fifth Mass Effect game is still ongoing.
To conclude, the former BioWare employees’ lawsuit sheds light on the challenges faced by game developers in the industry, especially when it comes to compensation and job security. Their quest for adequate severance underscores the importance of fair treatment and compensation for those who contribute to the success of major gaming studios.
