BioWare's Future: Dragon Age, Mass Effect Uncertain

BioWare, once a titan in RPG development, finds itself at a crossroads. The future of Dragon Age hangs in the balance, casting a shadow over the anticipated next Mass Effect installment. This article explores the challenges facing the studio and the uncertain path ahead.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard, intended as a triumphant return to form, instead delivered a critical and commercial disappointment. A Metacritic score of a mere 3 out of 10, based on seven thousand reviews, and sales figures half of projections paint a bleak picture. The immediate future of BioWare's RPG projects, including Dragon Age and the next Mass Effect, is shrouded in uncertainty.

Table of Contents

• The Long Road to Dragon Age 4
• Key Departures at BioWare
• Dragon Age 4 Tried to Mimic Mass Effect but Failed
• Is Dragon Age Dead?
• What About the Next Mass Effect?

The Long Road to Dragon Age 4

The development of Dragon Age 4 has been a tumultuous journey spanning nearly a decade, marked by significant setbacks and shifts in direction. The initial ambition, following the success of Dragon Age: Inquisition, was audacious: a 2019-2020 release for Dragon Age 4, followed by a fifth installment within 1.5-2 years, and a concluding sixth installment by 2023-2024. BioWare aimed to elevate Dragon Age to the heights of The Elder Scrolls, with EA pledging significant investment.

However, this ambitious plan derailed in late 2016. Resources were redirected to Mass Effect: Andromeda, developed by BioWare Montreal. The subsequent failure of Andromeda led to the studio's disbandment, and many staff members transitioned to Anthem. This resulted in Dragon Age 4 languishing, largely on paper, under a small team from 2017 to 2019.

In 2017, EA's embrace of live-service games led to a reimagining of Dragon Age as a live-service title (codenamed Joplin). But the failure of Anthem in 2019 prompted a return to a single-player focus, under the codename Morrison. This pivot necessitated rebuilding teams and reshaping priorities, resulting in significant delays.

In 2022, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf was officially announced. However, the subtitle was later changed due to narrative adjustments, shifting focus from Fen'Harel to the protagonist's team. The Veilguard launched on October 31, 2024, to disappointing sales, reaching only 1.5 million copies – nearly 50% below projections despite generally positive critical reviews.

Key Departures at BioWare

The underperformance of The Veilguard triggered a significant restructuring at BioWare, with employee reassignments and layoffs. Several key figures departed, including veteran writers Patrick and Karin Weekes (responsible for iconic characters across the Mass Effect and Dragon Age universes), game director Corinne Bouche, Cheryl Chi (known for beloved characters in Dragon Age), Silvia Feketekuti, and John Epler. Other notable departures included producers Jennifer Shaver and Daniel Sted, narrative editor Ryan Cormier, and senior product manager Lina Anderson.

BioWare's workforce shrunk dramatically, from 200 to fewer than 100 employees. While layoffs are common after unsuccessful releases, the significant departures raise concerns. Resources have been redistributed, with some developers moving to other EA projects, and a smaller team continuing work on the next Mass Effect.

Dragon Age 4 Tried to Mimic Mass Effect but Failed

Interviews with Corinne Bouche and John Epler revealed that The Veilguard drew heavily from Mass Effect 2, particularly its companion system and approval mechanics. The intention was to create a narrative heavily influenced by player choices, culminating in a finale similar to ME2's Suicide Mission. Elements inspired by Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC were also incorporated.

However, while some aspects, such as the final act, were successful, the attempt to replicate Mass Effect's strengths fell short. World state customization was limited, ignoring previous games' player choices. The story avoided direct ties to previous entries, hindering the impact of established characters like Morrigan and Solas. The game also lacked the complexity that defined previous Dragon Age titles, resulting in a shallower narrative experience.

Ultimately, The Veilguard succeeded as an action-adventure game but failed as a true RPG and, more critically, as a Dragon Age game.

Is Dragon Age Dead?

EA's leadership suggested that The Veilguard might have fared better as a live-service game. The lack of mention of Dragon Age or Mass Effect in EA's Q3 2024 financial reports, focusing instead on sports titles and Battlefield Labs, indicates a shift in priorities towards more profitable ventures.

While former developers expressed interest in expanding the Dragon Age universe, their departures cast doubt on these ambitions. If the series returns, it will likely take years and potentially involve a significant change in format.

What About the Next Mass Effect?

Mass Effect 5, announced in 2020, is currently in pre-production. With a reduced team and under the leadership of Michael Gamble, along with Designer Dusty Everman, Art director Derek Watts, and Cinematic director Parry Ley, it aims for greater photorealism and will likely continue the original trilogy's storyline. However, given the studio restructuring and the extended production cycles, a release before 2027 seems unlikely.