Dragon Age
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dragon Age across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Generative AI is a "virulent plague" and even using it to eliminate "drudgery" has downsides, reckons long-time Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider
Former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider believes generative AI is a "virulent plague" and not ready for game development, even for mundane tasks. He argues that its use risks inhibiting the training of junior developers and raises significant legal concerns due to unregulated data sourcing. Gaider suggests avoiding the technology until it is properly regulated.
Dragon Age: Origins is 'Unsupported' on Steam Deck, but it runs incredibly and it's currently only $3
Despite being officially 'Unsupported' on the Steam Deck, Dragon Age: Origins runs exceptionally well on the handheld PC. The article details how to overcome initial launcher issues, adjust graphics settings for native resolution, and utilize community-created gamepad layouts to achieve a smooth 60 FPS experience. The author concludes that the game is perfectly playable and enjoyable on the Steam Deck, requiring less tinkering than some 'Playable' rated titles.
Generative AI is a "plague," says Dragon Age vet David Gaider: "It's not ready for prime time. There's just a lot of executives who really, really want it to be"
Longtime Dragon Age narrative lead David Gaider describes generative AI as a "virulent plague" in the games industry, citing concerns about legal issues, ethical implications, and the potential to hinder junior developer training. He argues that the technology is not yet ready for widespread use and that executives are pushing for it without fully understanding its limitations or impact on creative workflows.
I picked out 31 must-play games going for $5 or less in the Steam Summer Sale
This article highlights 31 must-play games available for $5 or less during the Steam Summer Sale. The curated list includes a variety of genres such as RPGs and first-person shooters, with many titles developed by well-known studios like Larian and BioWare.
The grim industry summer continues as EA lays off staff ahead of $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia, likely to soothe the…
Electronic Arts is reportedly laying off an unknown number of staff ahead of its $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which will hold a 93.4% stake. These layoffs, affecting teams like recruitment and customer support, are occurring before the acquisition closes, likely due to EA's significant loan debt. This follows a trend of industry layoffs, including Microsoft's recent actions after acquiring Activision Blizzard, and raises concerns about sportswashing.
Former Dragon Age writer says AI could make gamedev 'frustrating as hell': 'How are we going to train up the next generation of devs if we eliminate every entry-level task?'
Former BioWare writer David Gaider expressed concerns that generative AI could make game development "frustrating as hell" by eliminating entry-level tasks crucial for training new developers. He highlighted issues with AI inconsistency and the ethical implications of using artists' data without consent, a sentiment echoed by other developers like David Szymanski and Danny Koo.
Why so many game developers don't want to use generative AI
Many game developers express strong reservations about using generative AI, citing ethical concerns, environmental impact, copyright issues, and job security risks. Despite some executives championing AI as a tool for efficiency, a significant portion of the industry views it as unproven, potentially harmful to creativity, and undesirable by players.
BioWare's co-founder fought to make Baldur's Gate 3 for over a decade, then Larian did it instead: 'I…
BioWare co-founder Trent Oster discusses the long and difficult journey to get Baldur's Gate 3 made, with multiple studios like Black Isle, Obsidian, and Beamdog attempting and failing to secure funding over two decades. Beamdog, led by Oster, pitched a version to Wizards of the Coast but ultimately could not secure the necessary $20 million budget, leading them to pursue other projects. Oster reflects on Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3, acknowledging their greater capital and ability to execute their vision at a high scale.
Say hello to EA Advertising, which will let your favourite brands 'integrate' ads to 'enhance' your…
Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform enabling brands to integrate advertisements into its games. Initially targeting sports titles like EA Sports FC and Madden NFL, these "in-game integrations" will feature dynamic placements, branded content, and reward-driven objectives. EA claims its games reach over 120 million players monthly, presenting a significant opportunity for advertisers to "enhance" player experiences.
Where Birds Sleep is a game about control. Or, well, your lack of control
Where Birds Sleep is a unique point-and-click adventure game that challenges traditional player control by making the protagonist Cormo override player choices. Developed by Quiet Little Feet, the game explores themes of morality and consequences, with player actions influencing Cormo's attributes and opening or closing narrative paths. The game aims to create a struggle for control and agency, offering a different experience from games like Baldur's Gate 3 or Disco Elysium.
Former Dragon Age lead says product placements could help combat "overreliance on microtransactions" and I agree because every game should make you pick a watch colour
Former Dragon Age director Mike Darrah suggests that product placement could offer an alternative revenue stream to combat the industry's overreliance on microtransactions. The article agrees, proposing that integrating branded items, like watches, could help fund single-player games and diversify monetization strategies beyond live-service models.
Business and Finance
A veteran from BioWare's Dragon Age series suggests the game industry could adopt revenue strategies from the movie business. In related news, Atari is reportedly in the process of acquiring the company behind the popular Crossy Road games.
Game Con Canada Is Just Over Two Weeks Away & We're Holding A Contest For Tickets!
Game Con Canada 2026, Western Canada's largest gaming convention, is scheduled for June 19-21 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. The event will feature contests for tickets, including a chance to win VIP experiences, alongside tournaments for Valorant and Street Fighter 6, special guests, cosplay competitions, and guided TTRPG adventures. The New North American Games Industry Summit (NAGIS) will precede the convention.
Former BioWare producer says we could be saved from a world where there's 'no AAA games that aren't live…
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests the AAA gaming industry could learn from Hollywood's business models to avoid a future dominated solely by live service games. He argues that the current reliance on microtransactions and live services discourages innovation and the exploration of diverse game genres. Darrah proposes that adopting strategies like tiered release windows and more varied subscription models could lead to a healthier and more sustainable industry.
Video Games Could Have Movie-Style Product Placement to Counter Rising Costs, Ex-Dragon Age Boss Says
Former BioWare Dragon Age boss Mark Darrah suggests that incorporating movie-style product placement could help offset the escalating costs of big-budget video game development. This approach might provide a financial solution for studios facing increasing production expenses.
Former Dragon Age producer thinks product placement could replace microtransactions
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests product placement as a potential alternative to microtransactions in video games. He argues that relying heavily on in-game purchases can lead developers to design games around high-spending players rather than the overall player experience. Darrah believes product placement could help fund projects without pushing every game towards a live service model, potentially fostering more variety in game development.
Dragon Age and BioWare veteran says games could learn a thing or two from how the movie business makes money
BioWare veteran Mark Darrah suggests the video game industry could learn from the movie business's diverse revenue streams beyond initial sales. He argues that an over-reliance on microtransactions and live services stifles other genres and proposes exploring avenues like product placement to diversify income and prevent a future dominated solely by live service AAA games.
Comings and Goings
Quantic Dream is facing criticism for its live-service game performance and subsequent layoffs. Meanwhile, former developers from Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and The Long Dark have established a new indie publisher called Studio Reset.
Former BioWare, Inflexion Games, and Timbre Games developers launch Studio Reset
Studio Reset, a new Canadian indie studio founded by former developers from BioWare, Inflexion Games, and Timbre Games, has officially launched. The studio is working on a neon-noir supernatural mystery title and aims for a sustainable, lean operating model. Key founding members include Kaelin Lavallée, Kris Schoneberg, and Francis Lacuna, who have experience with major franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
Star Wars: The Old Republic lead told BioWare bosses "I hate massive multiplayer games" before agreeing to run the MMO and becoming a "highly paid, completely useless person"
James Ohlen, a lead developer at BioWare, revealed he disliked massively multiplayer online games but was tasked with directing Star Wars: The Old Republic. He previously worked on other BioWare titles like Baldur's Gate and Mass Effect.
