Dragon Age Sequel Underperformed

EA CEO Andrew Wilson attributes the financial underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard to its failure to connect with a wider audience. Last week's restructuring of BioWare, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, saw staff previously working on The Veilguard reassigned to other EA projects.

This followed EA's announcement that Dragon Age: The Veilguard, despite a reported 1.5 million players, significantly missed projected engagement figures – falling nearly 50% short. IGN previously documented various development hurdles, including layoffs and the departure of key personnel. According to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, BioWare staff considered the game's completion a feat, given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed.

Wilson, in an investor call, suggested future role-playing games require "shared-world features and deeper engagement," alongside strong narratives, to broaden appeal. He acknowledged the game's quality and positive reviews but emphasized its limited market reach.

This perspective is perplexing given EA's prior directive to BioWare for a significant Dragon Age overhaul. As previously reported by IGN, this involved transitioning from a multiplayer framework to a single-player RPG. Fans criticize EA for misinterpreting the lessons learned, citing the massive success of recent single-player RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3. The future of Dragon Age remains uncertain.

EA CFO Stuart Canfield further elaborated on BioWare's restructuring, emphasizing the shift in industry dynamics and the reallocation of resources towards high-potential projects like Mass Effect 5. This involved a substantial reduction in BioWare's workforce. He highlighted the historical reliance on blockbuster storytelling but acknowledged the evolving industry landscape.

It's crucial to note that single-player games contribute minimally to EA's overall revenue. Live service games, generating 74% of revenue in the past year, dominate EA's financial performance, primarily driven by Ultimate Team, alongside contributions from titles like Apex Legends and The Sims. Future titles like the upcoming Skate and the next Battlefield are also expected to follow this live-service model.