Former BioWare developers have shared their insights on Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the recent remarks from EA's CEO Andrew Wilson, who stated that the game failed to "resonate with a broad enough audience." This statement came during a financial call, where Wilson suggested that BioWare's role-playing games need to incorporate "shared-world features and deeper engagement" to meet EA's expectations for success.
EA's decision to restructure BioWare to focus solely on Mass Effect 5 followed the disappointing performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The game engaged 1.5 million players in the recent financial quarter, which was nearly 50% below the company's projections. This led to some staff being reassigned to other EA projects, while others faced layoffs.
IGN has documented the development challenges faced by Dragon Age: The Veilguard, including layoffs, the departure of several project leads, and a significant shift in the game's direction. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, BioWare staff considered it a miracle that the game was released as a complete product after EA initially pushed for a live-service model, only to reverse course later.
Wilson emphasized the need for games to connect with evolving player demands, suggesting that shared-world features and deeper engagement could have broadened the game's appeal. However, IGN reported that Dragon Age: The Veilguard underwent a development reboot, transitioning from a multiplayer framework to a full single-player RPG.
Former BioWare staff, including David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw, have voiced their opinions on social media. Gaider, who created the Dragon Age setting and was its narrative lead before leaving BioWare in 2016, criticized EA's takeaway that the game should have been a live service. He suggested that EA should focus on what Dragon Age did best at its peak, drawing inspiration from the success of Baldur's Gate 3, which, despite having multiplayer co-op, is primarily a single-player experience.
Gaider advised EA to double down on the elements that made Dragon Age successful, emphasizing that the audience for such games still exists. Mike Laidlaw, former creative director on Dragon Age, expressed strong opposition to turning a beloved single-player game into a purely multiplayer experience, stating he would quit if faced with such a demand.
The restructuring of BioWare has led to a significant reduction in staff, with the studio now focusing entirely on Mass Effect 5, led by series veterans. EA CFO Stuart Canfield highlighted the evolving industry landscape and the necessity of reallocating resources to high-potential opportunities, signaling a shift away from Dragon Age and towards Mass Effect 5.
