EA CEO Says Dragon Age: The Veilguard Failed to 'Resonate With a Broad Audience,' Gamers Increasingly Want 'Shared-World Features'

EA CEO Andrew Wilson attributed the financial underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard to its failure to resonate with a broad enough audience. Last week's restructuring of BioWare, focusing development solely on Mass Effect 5, saw some Veilguard team members transferred to other EA studios. This followed EA's announcement that Dragon Age: The Veilguard, despite a reported 1.5 million players during the recent financial quarter, significantly underperformed projections—a nearly 50% shortfall.

IGN previously documented Dragon Age: The Veilguard's development challenges, including layoffs and the departure of several key personnel. Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier cited BioWare staff who described the game's completion as miraculous, given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed.

In an investor call, Wilson suggested future RPGs require "shared-world features and deeper engagement alongside high-quality narratives" to expand beyond the core audience. He acknowledged the game's high-quality launch and positive reviews but stressed its insufficient market reach. This implies that the inclusion of shared-world features and enhanced engagement could have boosted sales, a perspective complicated by EA's prior support of BioWare's Dragon Age reboot, which transitioned the game from a multiplayer framework to a single-player RPG.

Many fans argue EA drew the wrong conclusions, citing the success of recent single-player RPGs like Larian's Baldur's Gate 3. The future of the Dragon Age franchise remains uncertain.

EA CFO Stuart Canfield addressed BioWare's restructuring, noting the reduction in studio size from approximately 200 to under 100 employees. He highlighted the shifting industry landscape and the importance of resource allocation towards high-potential opportunities, emphasizing that the game's performance underscores the evolving industry landscape.

It's important to note that single-player games represent a small fraction of EA's revenue. Live service games, notably Ultimate Team, along with titles like Apex Legends and The Sims, contribute significantly (74% in the past year). Future titles like the next Skate and Battlefield are also expected to incorporate live service elements.