Following layoffs at BioWare impacting key Dragon Age: The Veilguard developers, a former writer offered reassurance to fans, stating, "DA isn't dead because it's yours now."
EA's restructuring of BioWare to prioritize Mass Effect 5 resulted in some Veilguard developers transferring to other EA studios, while others faced layoffs. This followed EA's announcement of Veilguard's underperformance, citing 1.5 million player engagements—significantly below projections. It's unclear if this figure represents unit sales, includes EA Play Pro subscribers, or accounts for a free trial period.
The combination of EA's announcement, BioWare's restructure, and the layoffs fueled concerns within the Dragon Age community about the franchise's future. With no planned DLC for The Veilguard and development concluding, the series appeared dormant.
However, Sheryl Chee, a former senior writer on Dragon Age: The Veilguard who transitioned to Motive Studio to work on Iron Man, shared a message of hope on social media. She acknowledged the challenges faced by her team but emphasized her continued employment. Responding to fan concerns about Dragon Age's demise, Chee highlighted the power of fan contributions: "DA isn't dead because it's yours now." She cited fan fiction, artwork, and community connections as evidence of the franchise's enduring legacy, asserting that while EA/BioWare owns the IP, they cannot own the underlying ideas. Chee further emphasized that fan creativity, inspired by the Dragon Age universe, proves the franchise's continued impact.
The Dragon Age series, launched with 2010's Dragon Age: Origins, continued with Dragon Age 2 (2011) and Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014). The Veilguard, released a decade later, marked a significant gap in the series' timeline. In contrast, former producer Mark Darrah revealed that Dragon Age: Inquisition significantly exceeded EA's sales expectations, selling over 12 million copies.
While EA hasn't explicitly declared Dragon Age dead, the future of the franchise remains uncertain given BioWare's focus on Mass Effect 5 and the events surrounding The Veilguard's development. EA confirmed a dedicated team at BioWare is developing Mass Effect 5, led by veterans of the original trilogy. While specific numbers weren't disclosed, EA assured sufficient personnel are in place for the project.
