Former BioWare developers have shared their insights on Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the recent remarks made by EA's CEO, Andrew Wilson, regarding the game's perceived failure. During a financial call, Wilson noted that Dragon Age: The Veilguard did not "resonate with a broad enough audience," which led to the game falling short of EA's expectations.
Following this, EA restructured BioWare to shift its focus solely to Mass Effect 5. This restructuring meant that some developers who worked on The Veilguard were reassigned to other EA projects, while others faced layoffs. The decision came after EA announced that Dragon Age: The Veilguard had only engaged 1.5 million players in the recent financial quarter, nearly 50% less than projected.
IGN has documented the various challenges faced during the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, including layoffs, the departure of several project leads, and significant shifts in the game's direction. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, BioWare staff considered it a miracle that the game was released at all, given the forced inclusion and subsequent removal of live-service elements by EA.
Wilson suggested that for BioWare’s role-playing games to achieve the success EA desires, they must incorporate "shared-world features and deeper engagement alongside high-quality narratives." He emphasized that to expand beyond the core audience, games need to adapt to the evolving preferences of players who seek more interactive and communal experiences.
Despite a strong critical reception and positive reviews from those who played it, Dragon Age: The Veilguard did not meet the broader market expectations in the highly competitive gaming industry. Wilson's comments implied that the game might have performed better with the inclusion of shared-world features and deeper engagement.
However, the game underwent a significant development reboot, shifting from a multiplayer concept to a full-blown single-player RPG, a move supported by EA. This context adds complexity to Wilson's remarks and the game's reception.
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 until leaving BioWare in 2016, criticized EA for not learning the right lessons from The Veilguard. He argued that suggesting the game should have been a live service is shortsighted and self-serving. Gaider advised EA to focus on what Dragon Age did best at its peak and to follow the successful example set by Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian, which prioritizes a strong single-player experience.
Mike Laidlaw, now chief creative officer at Yellow Brick Games, went further, stating that he would quit if forced to transform a beloved single-player game into a purely multiplayer one. He expressed strong opposition to fundamentally altering the core DNA of a successful IP, hinting at the pressures developers may face from corporate decisions.
The future of Dragon Age now seems uncertain, as BioWare shifts its full attention to Mass Effect 5, led by series veterans. EA CFO Stuart Canfield highlighted the restructuring, noting that the industry's landscape is evolving and that reallocating resources to high-potential projects like Mass Effect 5 is crucial. The studio has reportedly been reduced from 200 to less than 100 people, underscoring the significant changes at BioWare.
