Dragon Age Co-Creator Offers EA Some Advice: Follow Baldur’s Gate 3 Developer Larian’s Lead

Former BioWare developers have voiced their opinions on the underperformance of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and EA's CEO Andrew Wilson's comments regarding its failure to resonate with a wider audience. Wilson attributed the game's lackluster sales to its failure to incorporate "shared-world features and deeper engagement," despite acknowledging its high-quality launch and positive critical reception. He implied that the addition of these elements would have broadened its appeal.

This statement follows a recent restructuring at BioWare, where the studio's focus shifted entirely to Mass Effect 5, resulting in staff reassignments and layoffs. EA's reported projection shortfall of nearly 50% (reaching only 1.5 million players) further underscores the game's underperformance. Reports suggest the development was plagued by challenges, including multiple layoffs and the departure of key personnel, with BioWare staff reportedly viewing the final product as a miracle given EA's initial push for, and subsequent reversal of, a live-service model.

Prominent former BioWare employees took to social media to express their views. David Gaider, former narrative lead on the Dragon Age series, criticized EA's conclusion that the game's failure stemmed from a lack of live-service elements, deeming it short-sighted and self-serving. He argued that EA should instead learn from the success of Baldur's Gate 3, focusing on the core strengths that made the Dragon Age franchise successful in the past.

Mike Laidlaw, another former creative director on Dragon Age, expressed stronger sentiments, stating that he would have resigned if pressured to transform a beloved single-player IP into a purely multiplayer experience. He highlighted the potential damage to the core game's identity and the risk of alienating its dedicated fanbase.

The outcome of these events points towards the apparent demise of the Dragon Age franchise's immediate future, as BioWare concentrates its resources on Mass Effect 5. EA's CFO, Stuart Canfield, acknowledged the shifting industry landscape and the financial implications of Dreadwolf's performance, emphasizing the company's decision to reallocate resources to projects with higher potential returns. This reallocation involved a significant reduction in BioWare's workforce, shrinking the studio to less than 100 employees.