Former BioWare developers have shared their insights on the challenges faced by Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the recent statements made by EA CEO Andrew Wilson regarding its performance. During a financial call, Wilson expressed that Dragon Age: The Veilguard failed to "resonate with a broad enough audience," indicating that the game did not meet EA's expectations for reaching a wider player base.
In response to the game's underperformance, EA restructured BioWare to focus exclusively on Mass Effect 5. This shift in focus resulted in some developers from The Veilguard being reassigned to other projects within EA, while others faced layoffs. EA reported that Dragon Age: The Veilguard engaged 1.5 million players in its recent financial quarter, a number significantly lower than projected, representing nearly a 50% shortfall.
IGN has documented the turbulent development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, highlighting issues such as layoffs, the departure of several key project leads, and a forced pivot to a live-service model that was later reversed. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, BioWare staff considered it a miracle that the game was completed at all given these challenges.
Wilson suggested that for BioWare's RPGs to achieve greater success, they need to incorporate "shared-world features and deeper engagement alongside high-quality narratives." He acknowledged the game's high-quality launch and positive reviews but emphasized its failure to capture a broader audience in a competitive market. This led many to infer that the inclusion of shared-world features might have boosted sales. However, a development reboot saw Dragon Age transition from a multiplayer concept to a single-player RPG, a move backed by EA.
Former BioWare staff, including David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw, have voiced their opinions on social media. Gaider, who played a pivotal role in creating the Dragon Age setting and served as its narrative lead until 2016, criticized EA's takeaway that the game should have been a live service. He argued that EA should focus on what made Dragon Age successful in the past, drawing inspiration from the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 by Larian Studios, which, despite offering multiplayer co-op, primarily remains a single-player experience.
Mike Laidlaw, now at Yellow Brick Games, went further, stating he would quit if forced to transform a beloved single-player game into a multiplayer-focused title. He humorously suggested that such a demand would be absurd, especially if proposed twice.
The current situation suggests that the Dragon Age series may be on hold, with BioWare now concentrating on Mass Effect 5, led by series veterans. EA CFO Stuart Canfield emphasized the shift in strategy, noting the industry's evolution and the necessity to focus on high-potential opportunities, which led to the downsizing of BioWare from 200 to less than 100 employees.
