Dragon Age
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dragon Age across the outlets.
Latest coverage
As EA kills Mass Effect 5, BioWare co-founder slams "weird belief" you can "recreate great games with random people and AI" – "It doesn't work"
Following the cancellation of Mass Effect 5 and layoffs at BioWare, co-founder Greg Zeschuk criticized the industry's reliance on executives who lack game development experience and a "weird belief" in recreating games with AI. The article highlights concerns about morale at Electronic Arts amid ongoing layoffs and the publisher's embrace of AI tools.
BioWare co-founder says EA's Saudi Arabia buyout was "the final nail in the coffin" for the RPG studio: "It's easier just to pump out sports games"
BioWare co-founder Ray Zeschuk believes Electronic Arts' acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was the final blow to the RPG studio, citing concerns over human rights and potential policing of game content. Zeschuk suggests EA will now prioritize sports titles and Battlefield over complex RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
Mass Effect 5 studio was reportedly told to tone down inclusivity by EA after Saudi Arabia buyout, former BioWare dev…
Former BioWare developers have reportedly stated that Electronic Arts instructed them to tone down inclusivity in the unreleased Mass Effect 5 following the company's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Developers allegedly had to remove an LGBTQIA+ flag from a presentation to avoid causing offense, reflecting broader concerns about content policing after the buyout.
EA morale hits a new low amid AI push and BioWare closure: "A cold dead place that's slowly decaying as leadership pilfers every last cent"
Morale at Electronic Arts is reportedly at an all-time low following recent layoffs and the closure of BioWare's studio. Employees describe the layoff process as impersonal and disruptive, with management pushing generative AI tools despite employee concerns. The publisher's acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has also led to significant cost-cutting measures.
Games Inbox: Will Red Dead Redemption 3 be Rockstar’s next game?
Readers discuss Rockstar Games' next project, with speculation leaning towards Red Dead Redemption 3 over new IPs, despite a desire for experimentation. Other topics include the perceived high pricing of PlayStation Store digital games, the mismanagement of BioWare leading to the decline of franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and concerns about future online security threats and the impact of piracy on the games industry.
Changing acquired studios' core identity consistently leads to doom, says Nightdive Studios CEO
Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick believes that acquiring game studios and then forcing them to change their core identity or development practices consistently leads to their eventual downfall. He contrasts this with Atari's approach, which has allowed Nightdive and other acquired studios to continue focusing on their strengths, such as remastering classic games, leading to a more positive outcome.
Games Inbox: Is Marvel's Wolverine an underrated video game?
This collection of reader letters discusses the perceived underappreciation of Marvel's Wolverine, its impact on PlayStation 5 sales, and the rising cost of next-generation hardware and digital games. Other topics include potential new handheld consoles from Sony and Microsoft, the discovery of hidden codes in F-Zero GX, the future of BioWare franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and speculation about Nintendo's next mainline Zelda title.
223,000+ people sign petition to "save Mass Effect"
Over 223,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging Electronic Arts to commit to the continued development of the Mass Effect franchise. The petition was started in response to EA's announcement of closing BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and cancelling the next Mass Effect project. The petitioners suggest EA either properly fund and staff the franchise or license the intellectual property to another studio.
Mass Effect Petition Hopes to Save Franchise After EA News
Following Electronic Arts' decision to close BioWare and cancel the next Mass Effect game, a fan petition on Change.org has garnered over 200,000 signatures. The petition urges EA to fund the continuation of the Mass Effect franchise or license the IP to another studio, highlighting the series' importance in the sci-fi RPG genre.
"EA never actually sells anything," former Mass Effect 5 dev says – so don't expect the RPG to be saved as "they just shut things down and sit on their licenses"
A former BioWare developer suggests Electronic Arts is unlikely to sell the Mass Effect IP or Mass Effect 5 to another studio following BioWare's closure and the game's apparent cancellation. The developer stated that EA "never actually sells anything" and tends to "shut things down and sit on their licenses." This sentiment is echoed by former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, who noted that executives are incentivized against taking risks with IP.
Mass Effect 5 was named Universe partly because it let players generate alternate timelines based on their choices in previous entries, technical director says
Romain Toutain, franchise technical director at BioWare, revealed that the internal title Mass Effect Universe was considered for Mass Effect 5 partly due to a system that allowed players to generate alternate timelines based on their choices from previous games. This ambitious feature aimed to give players "absolute autonomy" by creating branching narratives and even generating content to ensure mission completion, though it was complex to implement. The article also touches on the leaked internal trailer for the game and the studio's shutdown.
BioWare's incredible legacy will continue as long as there are RPGs
This article reflects on the significant legacy of BioWare, a studio that has profoundly influenced the RPG genre with titles like Baldur's Gate, Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age. Despite acknowledging BioWare's own missteps and the detrimental impact of corporate decisions, the author emphasizes the enduring impact of its innovative design choices, storytelling, and representation in games, suggesting its influence will persist as long as RPGs are made.
Award-winning sci-fi author NK Jemisin joins BioWare's mourners and scorns a broken industry for killing geese that…
Award-winning author NK Jemisin expressed sadness over the decline of BioWare, citing the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series as inspirations. She also criticized the current state of the game industry, particularly the trend of large-scale layoffs that impact developers while executives remain largely unaffected.
Diskutera – Vilken rollspelsserie får aldrig ta slut?
This article discusses which role-playing game series players would be most upset to see end. The panel mentions that while BioWare has been shut down, leading to the potential end of Mass Effect and Dragon Age, series like Final Fantasy continue. Other beloved series that players would mourn include The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, The Witcher, Cyberpunk, and The Outer Worlds.
American publishers are ruining the video games industry - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern that American publishers are ruining the video game industry, citing the closure of BioWare and EA's financial practices as evidence. The author contrasts this with the perceived stability of Japanese and European companies, while also noting the potential negative impact of AI on game development and artistry.
Why private equity acquisitions like the one that just claimed BioWare are so dreaded
The closure of BioWare and subsequent layoffs at Electronic Arts highlight the detrimental impact of private equity acquisitions on game studios. This article details how leveraged buyouts, often involving significant debt and aggressive profit extraction strategies, can lead to the demise of companies and widespread job losses, even when the acquired entities have strong intellectual property.
'I'm forever grateful to BioWare': 16 game developers share the moment a BioWare game inspired them to…
Multiple game developers share how BioWare titles like Dragon Age: Origins, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, and the Mass Effect series inspired them to pursue careers in the gaming industry. These developers highlight specific moments and narrative elements that showcased the emotional depth and storytelling potential of video games.
BioWare fans beg Palworld studio to save Mass Effect by buying the IP from EA: "I got close to 30 DMs/emails from…
Following the news of BioWare's potential shutdown by EA, fans have urged Palworld developer Pocketpair to acquire the Mass Effect intellectual property. Pocketpair's head of communications, John 'Bucky' Buckley, acknowledged the frequent fan requests but explained the complexities and high costs associated with IP acquisition, noting that EA has shown no interest in selling the Mass Effect franchise.
Vi tar spelhelg med Next Fest, kolosser och androider
The editorial team is planning a diverse gaming weekend, with titles ranging from Shadow of the Colossus and Detroit: Become Human to indie horror Tenebris Somnia and retro PlayStation 1 games on the Analogue Pocket. Other plans include revisiting Kingdom Hearts, Call of Duty, and exploring demos from Steam Next Fest.
"What if Larian had shut down after Divine Divinity?": Star Trek Online exec scorns publishers who close teams like BioWare in favour of "AAA veteran" start-ups and AI "magic beans"
Star Trek Online executive producer Thomas Marrone criticizes the industry practice of shutting down established development teams in favor of new studios led by "AAA veterans" or relying on emerging technologies like AI. He argues this approach is irresponsible and self-sabotaging, highlighting that successful studios like Larian and Blizzard often achieve breakthroughs after multiple titles and years of team collaboration. Marrone suggests that publishers prioritizing short-term financial gains should exit game development entirely.
