EA CEO Claims Dragon Age: The Veilguard Missed Broad Appeal

EA CEO Andrew Wilson recently discussed the disappointing performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, stating it failed to resonate with a broad audience. The game engaged only 1.5 million players, significantly below the company's expectations. This has led to a restructuring at BioWare, focusing on the development of Mass Effect 5 and laying off some staff. Wilson emphasized the need for role-playing games to incorporate shared-world features and deeper engagement to attract a larger player base. Despite its critical acclaim, Dragon Age: The Veilguard's single-player focus appears to have limited its market success, contrasting sharply with the booming popularity of live-service games.

EA’s emphasis on live-service games suggests that future RPGs might prioritize multiplayer elements over traditional single-player narratives, potentially sidelining titles like Dragon Age that thrive on rich storytelling.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is part of the beloved Dragon Age franchise known for its immersive storytelling and character-driven gameplay. Launched years after its predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition, the game sought to evolve the series amidst changing market demands. However, its underwhelming performance has raised concerns about the future of single-player RPGs in an industry increasingly favoring multiplayer and live-service formats.