EA Advice: Follow Larian Studios' Lead for Success

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 not resonate with a broad enough audience, citing a need for "shared-world features and deeper engagement" alongside strong narratives. This statement, coupled with BioWare's restructuring to focus solely on Mass Effect 5, has led to layoffs and the transfer of some staff.

The game's development was plagued by challenges, including layoffs and the departure of key personnel, as previously reported by IGN and Bloomberg. Internal BioWare sources, according to Jason Schreier, described the game's completion as miraculous given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed.

Wilson's comments implied that incorporating multiplayer aspects could have boosted sales. However, IGN's reporting revealed a significant development shift from a planned multiplayer game to a single-player RPG.

Prominent former BioWare developers voiced their opinions on social media. David Gaider, former narrative lead, criticized EA's conclusion that the game's failure stemmed from a lack of live-service elements, suggesting this was a short-sighted and self-serving explanation. He argued that EA should instead emulate Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3, focusing on the core strengths of the Dragon Age franchise that previously drove strong sales.

Mike Laidlaw, former creative director, expressed that he would have resigned if pressured to fundamentally alter a beloved single-player IP into a purely multiplayer experience. He highlighted the absurdity of such a demand, especially considering its previous implementation.

The outcome suggests the future of the Dragon Age franchise is uncertain, with BioWare now fully committed to Mass Effect 5. EA's CFO, Stuart Canfield, acknowledged the evolving industry landscape and the financial underperformance of Dreadwolf as reasons for resource reallocation towards higher-potential projects, a move that reportedly significantly reduced BioWare's staff size.