BioWare's future hangs in the balance, casting a shadow over the anticipated next Dragon Age and Mass Effect titles. The recent release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, intended as a triumphant return to form, instead sparked widespread concern. A Metacritic score of a mere 3 out of 10, based on 7,000 user reviews, and sales figures falling 50% short of projections paint a grim picture. This article explores the factors contributing to this crisis and the uncertain path ahead for these beloved franchises.
Table of Contents
- The Long Road to Dragon Age 4
- Key Departures at BioWare
- Dragon Age 4 Tried to Mimic Mass Effect but Failed
- Is Dragon Age Dead?
- What About the Next Mass Effect?
The Long Road to Dragon Age 4
The development of Dragon Age 4 has been a tumultuous journey spanning nearly a decade, marked by significant setbacks and shifting priorities. Following the success of Dragon Age: Inquisition, an ambitious plan was outlined in 2016, envisioning a rapid release schedule for three consecutive titles, transforming Dragon Age into a leading RPG franchise. However, this vision crumbled when resources were redirected to Mass Effect: Andromeda. The subsequent failure of Andromeda led to the disbandment of BioWare Montreal, and many staff members were reassigned to Anthem. This resulted in a period of stagnation for Dragon Age 4 (2017-2019), with development largely on hold.
In 2017, EA’s shift towards live-service games influenced Dragon Age’s development, initially conceived as a live-service title (codenamed Joplin). However, the failure of Anthem in 2019 prompted a return to a single-player focus (renamed Morrison). This pivot caused significant delays and required rebuilding teams, further complicating the development process. Officially announced as Dreadwolf in 2022, the subtitle eventually changed due to narrative shifts. The Veilguard launched on October 31st, 2024, to disappointing sales despite positive critical reviews, selling only 1.5 million copies—nearly 50% below expectations.
Key Departures at BioWare
The underwhelming performance of The Veilguard triggered a significant restructuring at BioWare, leading to employee reassignments, layoffs, and the departure of several key figures. Among the notable losses are veteran writers Patrick and Karin Weekes (responsible for iconic characters across the Mass Effect and Dragon Age universes), game director Corinne Bouche, character designer Cheryl Chi, and narrative designer Silvia Feketekuti. Other departures included producers Jennifer Shaver and Daniel Sted, narrative editor Ryan Cormier, and senior product manager Lina Anderson. The studio’s workforce reportedly shrunk from 200 to fewer than 100 employees. While these changes don't signal immediate closure, they underscore the significant impact of The Veilguard’s failure.
Dragon Age 4 Tried to Mimic Mass Effect but Failed
Interviews with Corinne Bouche and John Epler revealed that The Veilguard drew significant inspiration from Mass Effect 2, particularly its companion system and approval mechanics. The aim was to create a narrative heavily influenced by player choices, culminating in a finale similar to Mass Effect 2’s Suicide Mission. Elements inspired by Mass Effect 3’s Citadel DLC were also incorporated. While some aspects, like the impactful final act, proved successful, the attempt to replicate Mass Effect’s strengths fell short. The game lacked the depth of character interactions and impactful choices promised, suffering from limited world state customization and a disregard for past player choices from previous titles.
The decision to minimize direct ties to previous entries to avoid lore conflicts negatively affected familiar characters like Morrigan and Solas. The game also simplified core Dragon Age themes, resulting in a shallower experience compared to its predecessors. Ultimately, while The Veilguard functions as an action-adventure title, it failed to capture the essence of an RPG, especially a Dragon Age game.
Is Dragon Age Dead?
EA’s leadership hinted that The Veilguard might have fared better as a live-service game, emphasizing the need for modern game design principles. Financial reports further suggest that EA is prioritizing more profitable ventures, casting doubt on the future of single-player Dragon Age titles. While former developers expressed interest in exploring untapped areas of the Dragon Age universe, their departures raise concerns about the series' future. While not officially dead, the series’ future remains uncertain, potentially requiring a significant overhaul to revive its popularity.
What About the Next Mass Effect?
Mass Effect 5, announced in 2020, is currently in pre-production with a reduced team. Following key departures, Michael Gamble leads the project, joined by designer Dusty Everman, art director Derek Watts, and cinematic director Parry Ley. The game aims for greater photorealism and will likely continue the original trilogy's storyline, potentially connecting to Andromeda. However, given the studio restructuring and extended production cycles, a release before 2027 is unlikely. The hope is that Mass Effect 5 will avoid the developmental pitfalls that plagued The Veilguard.
