Dragon Age: The Veilguard endured a rocky road during its development, taking almost ten years to finally make its debut. While it was well-received by critics, the game’s release fell short of Electronic Arts’ sales expectations. During the first couple of months, around 1.5 million gamers dove into its world, but according to EA, it hadn’t managed to attract players outside of its dedicated fan base. In a recent earnings call, EA’s leadership discussed the necessity of evolving to meet changing player expectations, implying that BioWare is now entering a phase of restructuring.
Interestingly, rather than concentrating on post-launch downloadable content, BioWare seems to be shifting its resources towards their next big project. This strategic pivot might actually work in favor of the Dragon Age franchise. By skipping DLC for The Veilguard, the studio could potentially reduce the time it takes to deliver the next installment, especially since they are also redirecting their focus toward Mass Effect.
Exploring the Complete Package in The Veilguard
A major upside of The Veilguard skipping DLC is offering gamers a fully realized experience right from launch. Historically, past titles in the franchise heavily depended on expansions released after the initial game to fill out their narratives. Dragon Age: Origins, for instance, had multiple DLC packs and a significant expansion called Awakening. Dragon Age 2 added new characters and story layers post-launch, while Dragon Age: Inquisition’s true conclusion only came with Trespasser, a substantial expansion.
This pattern often left players feeling like pivotal story content was locked behind extra purchases. Characters like Shale in Origins and Sebastian in Dragon Age 2 were integral but tied to DLC, making them seem like afterthoughts. The Veilguard, on the other hand, provides a complete story from the get-go, skipping the need for later expansions. While some fans may have wished for more content, this approach ensures all players can access the full narrative immediately.
BioWare’s Shift to Mass Effect
As BioWare pours its efforts into reviving Mass Effect, there’s concern among fans that Dragon Age might be put on pause indefinitely. However, this shift in focus could ultimately benefit the series. With the studio facing layoffs and restructuring, there’s a current push for stability. By prioritizing Mass Effect, BioWare could reestablish its reputation as a leading RPG developer, positioning themselves to bring back Dragon Age with renewed vigor.
While The Veilguard didn’t hit every target, it did surpass Mass Effect: Andromeda in several critical areas. Visually, it offers a more refined experience with polished cutscenes and smoother gameplay. Unlike Andromeda, which needed numerous patches to address technical hitches, The Veilguard started off in a much more stable state. With these lessons in tow, the next Mass Effect could see a significantly smoother development and launch.
Looking Ahead: Dragon Age Post-Restructuring
The decision to bypass DLC for The Veilguard might also hint at BioWare’s shifting priorities in game development. By diverting resources away from additional content for current titles, the studio can channel its efforts into crafting its next major game. This means that when a new Dragon Age emerges, it could do so with a focused vision and a more efficient build time.
If BioWare succeeds in stabilizing its efforts with Mass Effect, it could set the stage to expand once more, allowing Dragon Age to return in a stronger form. The lengthy delay between Inquisition and The Veilguard was partly due to constant directional shifts. Avoiding such upheavals could mean that the next Dragon Age installment arrives much sooner than fans anticipate.
