BioWare, once a titan of RPG development, finds itself at a crossroads. The future of Dragon Age hangs in the balance, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the next Mass Effect installment. This article delves into the issues plaguing the studio and explores the implications for its future.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard, intended as a triumphant return to form, fell drastically short of expectations. A Metacritic score of a mere 3 out of 10, based on seven thousand player reviews, speaks volumes. Electronic Arts reported sales at half the projected figures.
The future of BioWare's RPG projects, including Dragon Age and the next Mass Effect, remains uncertain.
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
Development of Dragon Age 4 spanned nearly a decade, marked by numerous shifts and limited progress. The journey began with the success of Dragon Age: Inquisition. In 2016, Mark Darrah, then overseeing the series, unveiled an ambitious plan:
- A 2019-2020 release for Dragon Age 4.
- A fifth installment within 1.5-2 years.
- Dragon Age 6 to conclude the trilogy by 2023-2024.
BioWare aimed to elevate Dragon Age to the status of The Elder Scrolls, with EA pledging substantial support. However, this plan derailed in late 2016 when resources were redirected to Mass Effect: Andromeda (developed by BioWare Montreal). Andromeda's failure led to the studio's disbandment, with many staff members transitioning to Anthem. Consequently, Dragon Age 4 remained largely conceptual from 2017 to 2019, handled by a small team.
In 2017, EA embraced the live-service model, envisioning Dragon Age as a continuously updated title with multiplayer and ongoing monetization (codenamed Joplin). However, Anthem's failure in 2019 prompted BioWare to persuade EA to return to a single-player focus. This shift, resulting in the project being renamed Morrison, caused significant delays and necessitated team rebuilding.
In 2022, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf was officially announced. The subtitle later changed due to narrative adjustments, shifting the focus to the protagonist's team rather than Fen'Harel.
The Veilguard launched on October 31, 2024, receiving positive critical reviews but disappointing sales of approximately 1.5 million copies—nearly 50% below projections.
Key Departures at BioWare
Following The Veilguard's poor performance, Electronic Arts announced a major restructuring at BioWare, involving staff reassignments, layoffs, and several high-profile departures:
- Patrick and Karin Weekes: Veteran writers with over two decades at BioWare, known for their work on Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
- Corinne Bouche: Game director for DA: The Veilguard.
- Cheryl Chi: Responsible for beloved characters in previous Dragon Age games.
- Silvia Feketekuti: Known for her work on characters in Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
- John Epler: Creative director.
- Other notable departures included producers Jennifer Shaver and Daniel Sted, narrative editor Ryan Cormier, and senior product manager Lina Anderson.
BioWare's workforce reportedly shrank from 200 to fewer than 100 employees. While layoffs are common after unsuccessful releases, resources have been redistributed, with some developers moving to other EA projects and a smaller team continuing work on the next Mass Effect.
Dragon Age 4 Tried to Mimic Mass Effect but Failed
Interviews with Corinne Bouche and John Epler revealed that The Veilguard drew heavily from Mass Effect 2, particularly its companion system and approval mechanics. The aim was to create impactful choices culminating in a finale similar to ME2's Suicide Mission. Elements inspired by Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC were also incorporated.
However, simply borrowing successful mechanics proved insufficient. Despite promises of deep characters and impactful choices, Dragon Age 4 fell short, lacking the depth of both Mass Effect and other RPGs. World state customization was limited, and the Dragon Age Keep save editor became largely irrelevant. The story avoided direct connections to previous entries, harming established characters like Morrigan and Solas. The game also simplified the series' hallmark complexity, resulting in a linear narrative and less impactful dialogue.
The Veilguard, while functioning as an action-adventure game, ultimately failed as a true RPG and as a Dragon Age title.
Is Dragon Age Dead?
EA CEO Andrew Wilson suggested The Veilguard might have fared better as a live-service game. CFO Stuart Kent indicated the game underperformed against competing single-player RPGs. EA's Q3 2024 financial reports highlighted successes in sports titles and investments in Battlefield Labs, with neither Dragon Age nor Mass Effect mentioned, suggesting a shift in priorities.
While John Epler and Corinne Bouche expressed interest in expanding the Dragon Age universe, their departure casts doubt on these ambitions. The series' future, if it exists, likely lies years away and may involve a significant format change.
What About the Next Mass Effect?
Mass Effect 5, announced in 2020, is currently in pre-production. With a reduced team, it represents BioWare's primary large-scale project following The Veilguard.
Michael Gamble leads the project, alongside designer Dusty Everman, art director Derek Watts, and cinematic director Parry Ley. Mass Effect 5 aims for greater photorealism and will likely continue the original trilogy's storyline, potentially connecting to Andromeda. Given the studio restructuring and extended production cycles, a release before 2027 is unlikely.
