Former BioWare Writer Says EA Always Favored Mass Effect Over Dragon Age
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s commercial underperformance has likely sealed the franchise’s fate, according to former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider. In an interview with PC Gamer, Gaider revealed that throughout his tenure at BioWare, the Dragon Age project existed in a precarious state, constantly at risk of cancellation. However, previous Dragon Age releases consistently exceeded EA’s sales expectations, which kept the franchise alive through multiple iterations.
Gaider highlighted a stark contrast in how EA treated its two major BioWare franchises. While Mass Effect was positioned as the publisher’s “favorite child,” it ironically sold less well than early Dragon Age titles. Despite Mass Effect’s lower commercial performance, it received priority treatment from EA, suggesting that factors beyond sales figures influenced the publisher’s strategic preferences.
The Veilguard’s disappointing sales appear to have reversed this protective pattern. With the game failing to meet EA’s commercial targets, the franchise now faces an uncertain future. Gaider’s assessment suggests this latest underperformance may represent the final obstacle preventing Dragon Age’s cancellation—a dramatic reversal from the franchise’s historical ability to surprise executives with stronger-than-expected results.