Former BioWare developers have weighed in on the underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and EA CEO Andrew Wilson's comments regarding its failure to resonate with a broad audience. Wilson attributed the game's lackluster performance to its failure to incorporate "shared-world features and deeper engagement" alongside its high-quality narrative, despite acknowledging its positive critical reception and strong initial engagement (1.5 million players, significantly below projections). This statement suggests EA believes a shift towards live-service elements could have boosted sales. However, IGN's reporting details a development reboot that shifted The Veilguard from a planned multiplayer game to a single-player RPG, a change reportedly mandated by EA.
This narrative shift has prompted outspoken reactions from former BioWare staff. David Gaider, former narrative lead on Dragon Age, criticized EA's takeaway from The Veilguard's performance, arguing that simply adding live-service elements is short-sighted and self-serving. He advocates for EA to learn from Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3, suggesting a focus on the core strengths that made Dragon Age popular in the past. He believes doubling down on the single-player experience that resonated with fans would be a more effective strategy.
Mike Laidlaw, another former Dragon Age creative director, expressed stronger dissent, stating he would resign if pressured to transform a successful single-player IP into a purely multiplayer experience. He highlights the potential for such a drastic change to fundamentally alter the DNA of what made the franchise beloved.
The fallout from The Veilguard's underperformance has resulted in BioWare's restructuring, with a focus now solely on Mass Effect 5. This restructuring, according to EA CFO Stuart Canfield, reflects the evolving industry landscape and prioritization of resources towards high-potential opportunities. The studio's size has reportedly been significantly reduced. The future of the Dragon Age franchise currently remains uncertain.
