Bioware isn’t the great RPG studio it once was and the current state of Dragon Age proves this. It doesn’t have the same draw nor the same stamp of excellence that it was once famed for during the 2000s and early 2010s, and perhaps EA feels this too. Recent news suggests that Bioware wanted to do more with the Dragon Age franchise, but EA is hesitant after Veilguard.
Veilguard somewhat struggled commercially, and this likely isn’t helped by the ludicrously long ten-year development. While it’s hard to call Veilguard a flop without statistics, EA isn’t leaping out of its seat to do more with the franchise. Bioware even pitched a series of remasters for the franchise to EA, but it’s clear that EA doesn’t believe in the series enough to give it more resources, and Veilguard could be the last seen of Dragon Age.
Dragon Age Might End With Veilguard
Remasters Might Be Its Only Path Back
In an interview on the MrMattyPlays YouTube channel, Mark Darrah, a former Bioware producer, spoke about the state of the studio as a whole and the state of the Dragon Age series specifically. Darrah is known for his work on the first two Dragon Age titles and was with Bioware until 2022. He was a part of the studio’s golden age and partly responsible for Bioware’s mark of quality back in the 2000s and 2010s.
He talked about how EA sees Dragon Age compared to something like Mass Effect and how it isn’t as attractive a project because of its fantasy setting and that EA is unable to see it as a mainstream game. This was particularly the case with Dragon Age: Origins, despite it being widely considered the best game in the franchise, and the series was pushed to be something more or something different. This resulted in Inqusition.
Because of the less favorable light EA shines on Dragon Age, especially compared to Mass Effect, and the relatively poor commercial performance of DA: Veilguard, it’s difficult to see a path forward for the series. Darrah still thinks “there are more games to be made” in the series but is “not sure how it gets started right now.” This could change in the future, given the fantasy RPG titles on the horizon.
The Witcher 4 and Elder Scrolls 6 are likely coming out some time in 2027–2028, with Fable rumored to be delayed to 2027, and these titles could prompt EA to do more with Dragon Age. Still, it seems that a remaster would be needed first to get the ball rolling for a new title. The problem is, this isn’t something that EA seems likely to do anytime soon, nor is it something that Bioware can feasibly begin development on.
Bioware and EA Won’t Make Dragon Age Remasters
Bioware’s Pitch Was Denied
In the interview, Darrah mentions that a Dragon Age trilogy remaster was soft-pitched to EA, titled The Champions Trilogy, with the idea being similar to Mass Effect Legendary Edition. This pitch was denied by EA, with Darrah mentioning that the publisher “is against remasters.” This is odd, considering EA’s famed greed for cash, but there are a few reasons as to why a Dragon Age remastered trilogy is tricky.
Unlike Mass Effect, the Dragon Age titles were made on different engines and can’t get the easy facelift that Mass Effect got. This was always going to be a tough pitch for EA, who doesn’t like remasters and doesn’t see Dragon Age as profitable as Mass Effect. Then, there is Bioware’s current structure and how it is split into different teams working on different series at the same time.
Bioware doesn’t have the resources for a remaster, especially after all the lay-offs, meaning it would likely have to be outsourced and thus costing EA even more money. It’s tough to pitch it after Veilguard‘s performance and the dire straits Bioware finds itself in. Still, it’s the only profitable avenue the Dragon Age series has left, and remasters of older titles would draw in more eyes than Dragon Age 5.
The problem is, EA is a publisher who has no problem letting IPs rot. If Dragon Age isn’t pulling mainstream income, it will probably be left behind to gather dust, and Bioware might be told to go full steam ahead with Mass Effect. One project at a time will likely help the studio too, and Dragon Age will likely end up in the same situation as the underrated Alice: Madness series, despite fans asking for more.
A Dragon Age: Origins Remaster Alone Would Be A Hit
And One Remaster Is More Viable
Still, if EA does want to test the waters once 2027 and 2028 bring some of gaming’s biggest fantasy series back, a Dragon Age: Origins remaster on its own isn’t a bad idea. Origins is considered the best game anyway, and as long as it’s true to the original with better visuals, it will probably be a hit. With the Dragon Age games using different engines, one remaster at a time is the better option.
Unfortunately, this is unlikely. Dragon Age will go dormant once again, except this time, there won’t be a game waiting at the end. Veilguard‘s long development and subsequent poor commercial performance has harmed Bioware, and it might be a while before it can recover, if it even manages to do that. Even if Dragon Age comes back, it will have to take a backseat to Mass Effect and fans probably won’t hear much from it for a long time.
Dragon Age: Origins
- Released
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November 3, 2009
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
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BioWare
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
- Engine
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Eclipse
