Summary
The former creative director ofDragon Age: The Veilguardhas responded to recent statements made by EA’s boss implying that the game would have been more successful as a live-service title. While initially slated to include live service and multiplayer elements,Dragon Age: The Veilguardpivoted to a single-player experience during its lengthy development period.
Fans of the franchise were thrilled whenDragon Age: The Veilguardlaunchedin October 2024, but the game failed to reach EA’s sales expectations, shipping only 1.5 million copies. While early player reviews were largely positive, things took a turn for the worse not long after the RPG’s launch, withThe Veilguardreview-bombed for its reportedly “woke” agenda and lackluster writing. 2014’sDragon Age: Inquisitionwon numerous Game of the Year awards, leading many to promptly criticize BioWare and EA for the newest game’s numerous shortcomings when players expected so much more. Now, a former director on the project is responding to some seemingly tone-deaf comments recently made by publisher EA.
Recently, EA boss Andrew Wilson implied thatDragon Age: The Veilguardas a live-service titlewould have performed better. This garnered immediate pushback online, and formerDragon Agecreative director Mike Laidlaw, who worked on the series since its start, has now responded in a new post on Bluesky (as reported byEurogamer). “Look, I’m not a fancy CEO guy, but if someone said to me ‘the key to this successful single-player IP’s success is to make it purely a multiplayer game. No, not a spin-off: fundamentally change the DNA of what people loved about the core game’ to me, I’d probably, like, quit that job or something,” he wrote. Notably, Laidlaw remained at BioWare until the decision to makeThe Veilguarda live-service title was announced, after which time he decided to leave the company.
Former Dragon Age Developers Respond to EA’s Recent Comments
David Gaider, the lead writer forthe first threeDragon Agetitles, also offered his thoughts regarding the recent comments on social media. “Let’s say you don’t actually know much about games. You’re in a big office with a bunch of other execs who also don’t know much about games. What are they all saying? ‘Live games do big numbers!’ ‘Action games are hot!’ My advice to EA (not that they care): you have an IP that a lot of people love. Deeply,” he wrote. “At its height, it sold well enough to make you happy, right? Look at what it did best at the point where it sold the most.” Gaider then mentioned the wild success ofBaldur’s Gate 3as a single-player title before reminding EA that the fans would still be waiting down the line. The former lead writer left BioWare in 2016.
Look, I’m not a fancy CEO guy, but if someone said to me ‘the key to this successful single-player IP’s success is to make it purely a multiplayer game. No, not a spin-off: fundamentally change the DNA of what people loved about the core game’ to me, I’d probably, like, quit that job or something.
In late January 2025, it was announced that somedevelopers ofDragon Age: The Veilguardhad been laid offfollowing the game’s lackluster performance. The game’s director, Corinne Busche, has also left the company, leading many to wonder what the future of the franchise will look like. Of greater concern to many in the community is nowMass Effect 5, which is currently in pre-production and was not impacted by the recent restructuring at the company. Given EA’s misguided belief thatThe Veilguardwould have thrived as a live-service game,Mass Effect 5may now feature these controversial elements, despite past entries being almost exclusively single-player experiences.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you may’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
