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, suggesting the need for "shared-world features and deeper engagement" alongside strong narratives to attract a wider audience. This statement implied that incorporating multiplayer elements would have boosted sales.

However, this interpretation clashes with the game's development history. As previously reported, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf underwent a significant development reboot, shifting from a planned multiplayer game to a single-player RPG at EA's behest. This contradicts Wilson's suggestion that the game's shortcomings stemmed from a lack of multiplayer features.

Former BioWare narrative lead David Gaider expressed his disagreement with EA's takeaway from the game's performance. He argued that focusing solely on adding live-service elements is short-sighted and self-serving, suggesting EA should instead learn from the success of Baldur's Gate 3, a predominantly single-player game with optional co-op, by doubling down on what made Dragon Age successful in the past.

Mike Laidlaw, a former creative director on the Dragon Age franchise, went further, stating he would resign if pressured to transform a successful 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 consequences of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's underperformance are significant. BioWare has been restructured, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, with substantial staff reductions. EA's CFO, Stuart Canfield, acknowledged the changing industry landscape and the need to prioritize high-potential projects, indicating that the financial performance of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf underscored the shift away from traditional blockbuster storytelling. The future of the Dragon Age franchise now appears uncertain.