The Struggles of BioWare: The Uncertain Future of Dragon Age and the State of New Mass Effect

The future of BioWare, a studio renowned for its epic RPGs, hangs in the balance as fans grow increasingly concerned about the fate of their beloved franchises, Dragon Age and Mass Effect. Let's explore the current state of affairs and what lies ahead for these iconic series.

The much-anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard was poised to reaffirm BioWare's prowess in crafting immersive RPGs with rich narratives. However, the game has fallen significantly short of expectations. With a staggering 7,000 players rating it a mere 3 out of 10 on Metacritic, and Electronic Arts reporting sales at just half of what was projected, the disappointment is palpable. The Veilguard managed to sell only 1.5 million copies, far below the anticipated figures.

As a result, the future of BioWare's RPG projects, including Dragon Age, remains shrouded in uncertainty. There is also growing apprehension about the development of the next Mass Effect installment.

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The Long Road to Dragon Age 4

The development journey of Dragon Age 4, now known as The Veilguard, has been tumultuous. Initially announced as Dreadwolf, the project underwent numerous changes over nearly a decade. Following the success of Dragon Age: Inquisition, BioWare set ambitious goals to release Dragon Age 4 by 2019-2020, followed by two more installments within a few years, aiming to elevate the franchise to the stature of The Elder Scrolls. However, the plan derailed when resources were redirected to Mass Effect: Andromeda in 2016. Andromeda's poor reception led to the disbandment of BioWare Montreal, and the focus shifted to Anthem, leaving Dragon Age 4 in a state of limbo from 2017 to 2019.

In 2017, influenced by the trend of live-service games, EA reimagined Dragon Age as a title with regular updates and multiplayer features, codenamed Joplin. Anthem's failure in 2019 prompted a return to a single-player focus, and the project was renamed Morrison. By 2022, it was officially announced as Dreadwolf, but narrative shifts led to its final title, The Veilguard, released on October 31, 2024. Despite positive critical reception, sales were disappointing.

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Key Departures at BioWare

In the wake of The Veilguard's underperformance, Electronic Arts initiated a major restructuring at BioWare, resulting in layoffs and reassignments. Several key figures left the studio, including:

• Patrick and Karin Weekes: Long-time writers who contributed to Mass Effect and Dragon Age series. Patrick, the lead writer for The Veilguard, created memorable characters like Tali'Zorah and Solas.
• Corinne Bouche: The game director for The Veilguard, who left to develop a new RPG elsewhere.
• Cheryl Chi: Known for characters such as Leliana and Cullen, she moved to Motive Studio.
• Silvia Feketekuti: Contributed to characters like Liara and Josephine, departed after 15 years.
• John Epler: Transitioned to Full Circle to work on Skate after leading creative efforts on Bellerophon and Mass Effect.

The workforce at BioWare has significantly reduced from 200 to fewer than 100 employees, with resources being redistributed across EA projects and a smaller team continuing to work on the next Mass Effect.

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Dragon Age 4 Tried to Mimic Mass Effect but Failed

In an attempt to revive the Dragon Age series, The Veilguard drew heavily from the successful elements of Mass Effect, particularly Mass Effect 2's companion relationships and approval systems. The game aimed to deliver impactful player choices, with a finale inspired by Mass Effect 2's Suicide Mission. However, despite incorporating features like lighthearted banter from Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC, the game fell short as an RPG. The narrative lacked the depth and complexity fans expected, and the dialogue systems were less varied and consequential than in previous titles.

The Veilguard's attempt to emulate Mass Effect without capturing the essence of what made Dragon Age unique resulted in a game that excels more as an action-adventure than an RPG, much to the dismay of the series' loyal fanbase.

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Is Dragon Age Dead?

EA CEO Andrew Wilson hinted that The Veilguard might have fared better as a live-service game, reflecting a broader industry trend. CFO Stuart Kent noted the game's underperformance against other single-player RPGs. Financial reports from Q3 2024 focused on other EA ventures, omitting Dragon Age and Mass Effect, suggesting a shift in priorities.

Despite these challenges, former BioWare staff expressed interest in expanding the Dragon Age universe. However, their departures cast doubt on these plans. Cheryl Chi, a former writer, remains optimistic, stating, "Dragon Age isn't dead. Fanfiction, fan art, and connections forged through the games keep it alive. Though rights belong to EA and BioWare, the idea belongs to everyone."

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What About the Next Mass Effect?

Mass Effect 5 was announced in 2020 and is currently in pre-production. With The Veilguard's release, it stands as BioWare's primary focus, albeit with a smaller team. Michael Gamble now leads as general manager, joined by key figures like designer Dusty Everman, art director Derek Watts, and cinematic director Parry Ley.

The next Mass Effect aims for greater photorealism and appears to continue the storyline from the original trilogy, potentially linking to Andromeda. Given the studio's restructuring and the extended production timeline, a release before 2027 seems unlikely. Fans hope it will avoid the pitfalls that plagued The Veilguard, such as chaotic development and uninspired storytelling.

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