In a recent turn of events, EA has hinted that Dragon Age: The Veilguard might have garnered more success had it adopted a live-service model. The game, released in October 2024, was a highly anticipated successor to the 2014 Game of the Year, Dragon Age: Inquisition. Despite the buzz and excitement from long-time fans awaiting a new installment after ten years, The Veilguard didn’t live up to EA’s lofty sales expectations, falling short by a staggering 50% with only 1.5 million copies sold.
Reviews were a mixed bag. Some praised the game’s refreshing characters, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals, but others were left unimpressed with aspects of the story and its writing. Right out of the gate, the game faced review-bombing for what some critics called “wokeness,” a point of contention that persists among many in the fan community. Now, months into its release, EA is offering insight into why Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not have captured a broader market.
During a recent financial discussion, reported by PC Gamer, EA CEO Andrew Wilson discussed the underwhelming sales performance of The Veilguard. He suggested that incorporating a live-service component might have broadened its appeal. Wilson shared, “For a game to expand past its core audience, it has to resonate with the changing desires of players who are increasingly drawn to shared-world experiences, seeking more engagement alongside quality storytelling in this beloved genre.” He acknowledged the game’s quality and strong critical reviews but stressed its limited reach in a fiercely competitive landscape. Earlier in January, reports surfaced showing a 16 percent dip in EA shares, attributed heavily to the poor performances of both Dragon Age: The Veilguard and EA Sports FC 25.
Reflecting on its development journey, The Veilguard was initially set to include live-service mechanics and multiplayer capabilities. However, the trajectory shifted in February 2021, influenced by the success seen in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and the cancellation of BioWare’s Anthem reboot. As a result, Dragon Age: The Veilguard dropped these elements in favor of a purely single-player focus reminiscent of its franchise predecessors. Although Wilson didn’t explicitly say the absence of live-service was the game’s downfall, there seems to be some hindsight regret about moving away from a multiplayer approach.
In the wake of these developments, EA has announced organizational restructuring at BioWare, intended to support the upcoming Mass Effect title’s production. Amidst these changes, several key figures from the Dragon Age: The Veilguard team, including the lead writer, senior systems designer, and producer, have been let go. Even the game’s director, Corinne Busche, is parting ways with BioWare. Despite this upheaval, BioWare’s executive producer Michael Gamble has reassured fans that Mass Effect 5 remains in pre-production and is progressing smoothly. Yet, some fans worry whether the new game will incorporate live-service elements, a prospect that has many in the community wary.
