Mark Darrah on the future of Dragon Age: uncertainty and consequences for fans

In short

• Mark Darrah, a key figure in the Dragon Age series, thinks a new game in the franchise is unlikely.
• The disappointing sales of Dragon Age: The Veilguard have led EA to stop considering new pitches for the series.
• Darrah’s brief return to BioWare in 2023 was focused on advising on the struggling title.

GAME-scanner analysis

Mark Darrah’s recent comments about the future of Dragon Age are worrying for fans of the franchise. Darrah, who worked at BioWare for years and played a crucial role in the series’ development, has expressed doubts about the viability of new entries. The underwhelming sales of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which failed to meet EA’s expectations, are a sign of the broader challenges facing the games industry. Darrah’s description of EA as a “hedge fund with a video game hobby” highlights concerns that financial considerations could undermine the creative process at BioWare. This raises questions about the studio’s future, after it has already dealt with management issues and a decline in the quality of its releases. The possibility of a remaster of the original trilogy also seems to be in jeopardy, as no one at BioWare currently understands the Aurora Engine, making development of such a remaster difficult.

What does this mean for players?

For players, this means the chances of new Dragon Age games in the near future are slim. Fans may need to prepare for a long wait, or even for the franchise to come to a definitive end. This could also affect community engagement and has implications for BioWare’s future as a studio, which is already under pressure from earlier disappointments and management changes. The uncertainty surrounding the franchise could lead to a decline in interest in future titles, further weakening BioWare’s already fragile position. The disappointment around Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s sales could also hurt the franchise’s reputation, making it harder to attract new players.