Dragon Age: The Veilguard Star 'Devastated' by Backlash, Claims BioWare Critics Wanted Failure

Dragon Age star Alix Wilton Regan has shared her personal perspective on the backlash faced by last year's Dragon Age: The Veilguard, attributing the "mixed reactions" to individuals who "wanted to see the game fail, or wanted to see [BioWare] fail."

The actor, who portrays the Female Inquisitor in both Dragon Age: Inquisition and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, expressed to IGN her deep disappointment over BioWare's latest game not resonating with a broader audience, despite receiving mostly positive reviews from critics.

During an interview that covered her extensive portfolio of iconic video game characters, including her upcoming role in Microsoft's Perfect Dark reboot, Wilton Regan reflected fondly on her time as BioWare's Inquisitor, though she doubts the character will return.

"I feel absolutely devastated for BioWare as a studio that they received such mixed reactions to the game," Wilton Regan stated regarding the feedback on The Veilguard. "I personally thought it was a really strong game. I thought it was just BioWare being more BioWare.

"I also think a lot of people kind of wanted to see it fail, or wanted to see [BioWare] fail, either because they're just really bad people on the internet — of which there are unfortunately many, as we have discovered."

Upon its release, The Veilguard was subjected to review bombing online. The game drew criticism for being "woke" due to the inclusion of a non-binary companion character and the option for players to select a transgender protagonist. On Steam, Dragon Age: The Veilguard now holds a 'Mixed' user rating, with tags like "LGBTQ+" and "politics" being used to describe it.

"People were attacking the game before it was even released," Wilton Regan added. "It's ridiculous. How can you judge a game, a book, a film, a TV show before it's actually released? You can't. It's an idiotic stance to take."

In January, publisher EA reported that Dragon Age: The Veilguard had "underperformed" by about 50% compared to their expectations, shortly after the game's director, Corrine Busche, announced her departure from the company. Additionally, other BioWare staff involved with the game were laid off.

Also in January, BioWare indicated that it had released the final update for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, with no further content planned or announced.

"I only ever want to see the folks from BioWare thrive, because I adore them," Wilton Regan concluded. "And whatever they go on to do next I have no doubt their talents will be richly rewarded. We're really lucky we'll get more gold from them in the future."

A streamlined BioWare is now focusing on the development of Mass Effect 5, which does not yet have a confirmed release date.