Former BioWare developers have weighed in on the underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and EA CEO Andrew Wilson's subsequent comments. Wilson attributed the game's failure to not resonate with a broad enough audience, a statement following EA's restructuring of BioWare to focus solely on Mass Effect 5. This restructuring resulted in staff transfers and layoffs impacting those who worked on The Veilguard. EA reported that the game engaged 1.5 million players, significantly below projections. The game's troubled development, including layoffs and the departure of key personnel, has been well-documented. Reports suggest that the game's shift from a planned multiplayer experience to a single-player RPG, following an EA-mandated reboot, may have contributed to its struggles.
Wilson suggested that future BioWare RPGs require "shared-world features and deeper engagement alongside high-quality narratives" to achieve broader appeal. He highlighted the game's positive critical reception but emphasized its failure to reach a wider audience in a competitive market. This has led many to interpret his comments as suggesting that multiplayer elements would have improved sales.
However, former BioWare employees have offered dissenting opinions. David Gaider, former narrative lead on Dragon Age, criticized EA's conclusion that a live-service model would have been the solution, suggesting this approach is short-sighted and self-serving. He argued that EA should instead learn from the success of Baldur's Gate 3, emphasizing a return to the core strengths of the Dragon Age franchise.
Mike Laidlaw, a former creative director on Dragon Age, expressed a stronger stance, stating he would have resigned if pressured to transform a beloved single-player IP into a purely multiplayer experience. He highlighted the inherent risk in fundamentally altering the DNA of a successful single-player game.
The situation leaves the future of the Dragon Age franchise uncertain, with BioWare now fully committed to Mass Effect 5. EA CFO Stuart Canfield further explained the restructuring, noting the shifting industry landscape and the need to reallocate resources to high-potential projects. This restructuring reportedly reduced BioWare's staff from 200 to fewer than 100 employees.
