In the shadow of Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s lackluster performance, David Gaider, the revered co-creator of the Dragon Age series, has some sage advice for Electronic Arts (EA). As EA finds itself grappling with the game’s inability to capture a wider audience, Gaider urges the company to look towards the staggering success of Baldur’s Gate 3 by Larian Studios for inspiration.
The crux of EA’s dilemma was evident during a recent financial call where CEO Andrew Wilson pinpointed the core issue: the game failed to “resonate with a broad enough audience.” A significant pivot followed as BioWare, once known for crafting rich single-player RPG experiences, underwent restructuring to focus primarily on Mass Effect 5, a move that left many Veilguard developers without a project or a job.
Released as a highly anticipated action RPG, The Veilguard managed to “engage” 1.5 million players, significantly short of EA’s 3 million player expectation. IGN’s coverage has revealed a rocky development journey, marked by leadership departures and the constant tug-of-war between single-player storytelling and EA’s push for live-service elements.
Wilson’s comments seem to suggest that a deeper integration of “shared-world features” could have been the missing ingredient. However, this perspective is not shared by BioWare’s alumni. Gaider, who developed Dragon Age’s iconic setting and narrative, believes EA is missing the mark completely. From his viewpoint, EA should re-embrace what initially made Dragon Age a fan-favorite: a deep, engaging single-player experience, similar to what Baldur’s Gate 3 accomplished.
Reflecting on the contrasts, Gaider underscored that while Baldur’s Gate 3 offers optional multiplayer co-op, its core remains a single-player RPG. He advises EA to harness the powerful Dragon Age IP built on beloved, high-quality narratives. “Follow Larian’s lead and double down on that. The audience is still there. And waiting,” Gaider stated.
Echoing Gaider’s sentiments is Mike Laidlaw, former creative director on Dragon Age. Laidlaw voiced profound disapproval of any intent to retrofit the franchise’s DNA into a multiplayer-focused experience. His strong stance is a sharp reminder of BioWare’s past missteps, notably with the live-service approach that ultimately sunk Anthem.
The Dragon Age series may be dormant for now, with EA’s spotlight shifting to Mass Effect under the stewardship of BioWare veterans. However, should EA heed Gaider’s advice, fans might yet see Dragon Age resurrected in a form true to its roots, with a resilient focus on singular storytelling that echoes the success of its RPG counterparts.
