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

Former BioWare developers have criticized EA's assessment of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's underperformance and subsequent restructuring of BioWare. EA CEO Andrew Wilson attributed the game's failure to a lack of broad appeal, specifically citing a need for "shared-world features and deeper engagement" alongside strong narratives. This statement, interpreted by many as advocating for a live-service model, has drawn sharp rebukes from former BioWare staff.

EA's financial report revealed that Dragon Age: Dreadwolf engaged only 1.5 million players, significantly below projections. The game's troubled development, marked by layoffs and the departure of key personnel, has been well-documented. Internal sources, according to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, suggest the game's completion was a feat in itself, given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed.

David Gaider, former narrative lead on Dragon Age, argued that EA's conclusion—that live-service was the solution—is short-sighted. He emphasized that successful and unsuccessful games exist across various design philosophies, suggesting EA should focus on the core strengths that previously drove Dragon Age's success. He urged EA to emulate Larian Studios' approach with Baldur's Gate 3, a predominantly single-player RPG with optional multiplayer, which achieved significant success.

Mike Laidlaw, a former creative director on Dragon Age, expressed even stronger dissent, stating he would resign if pressured to fundamentally alter a beloved single-player IP into a purely multiplayer experience. He highlighted the absurdity of such a demand, especially considering its prior implementation with disastrous results.

The consequences of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's underperformance have been severe. BioWare's restructuring, focused entirely on Mass Effect 5, has resulted in significant layoffs, reducing the studio's size considerably. EA's CFO, Stuart Canfield, acknowledged the shifting industry landscape and the need to prioritize high-potential projects, effectively signaling the apparent demise of the Dragon Age franchise, at least for the foreseeable future. The future of BioWare now rests firmly on the success of Mass Effect 5, a project spearheaded by a core team of veteran developers.