It sounds as if an established internal system at Electronic Arts will prevent another Dragon Age game from happening anytime soon. Dragon Age creator Mark Darrah, who worked at BioWare for 23 years, has revealed an unfortunate detail regarding the greenlighting process at EA. Darrah participated in an interview with FRVR where he discussed the possibility of a new Dragon Age game but explained that “Someone once described to me EA as a hedge fund with a video game hobby that it wished it didn’t spend so much money on. And I think that remains true,” and added “EA owns a frightening number of IPs that are dormant…“
Darrah goes on to detail how those who attempt to pitch game ideas for pre-existing IPs are often treated like chum in a room full of sharks. Apparently, there are a number of individuals both at EA and BioWare whose sense of ownership of the IP has created a somewhat hostile environment.
“What I’ve heard is if you go and decide you’re going to make a [game based on an IP]… the instant you’re about to start, suddenly like three different people who think they control it come out of the woodwork and essentially like rip you apart and chew you up and spit you out.”
– Mark Darrah
It’s no secret that EA/BioWare laid off staff right after the launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and it was rumored that the majority of BioWare’s remaining staff have been tasked with working on the next Mass Effect game. Meanwhile, the EA buyout deal by Saudi investment firms is continuing to clear various regulatory entities around the globe, and if it goes through, no one can be certain what will become of the game publisher and its development studios. After all, it’s common corporate speak to say the dawn of a new…, and players will get more…, but more often than not, there are usually more layoffs to follow as investors seek the quickest means to recoup money spent on a big purchase. It’s already been stated that the $55 billion deal is expected to lean heavily on AI to reduce costs, another hint of staff cuts. That being said, it brings the odds of another Dragon Age game going into development any time soon from slim to none, which would be a shame since there are still many fans of the 15-year-old franchise.
Discussion (8 replies)
Join Discussion →Thats bullshit you need idea people. Otherwise you're churning out more of the same bullshit.
Funny. That sounds like my family.
I have to admit, so far, when idea people split off and form their own private labels after having had some success with a big developer/publisher - they have been fairly lackluster.
Yeah, ideas are important. So are resources, and not all constraints are bad.
Actually new ideas should be ripped to shreds. Just because you have a new idea doesn't automatically make it good. And even if it is good, input and pushback from others in the team could make it great.
But we are in the era of toxic positivity where any pushback or disagreement is frowned upon and may even land you in HR prison at these big AAA companies.
Damn near had an HR incident because someone didn't like that they were wrong and the tone I used when I told them that. Flabbergasted...
Don't tell me it was a Gen-Z'er.
First of all, how DARE you tell someone they are wrong, that is just completely unacceptable. NO ONE is wrong, people are just right in different ways. Second, if you avoided using a soft, caring, gentle, apologetic tone, then shame on you sir, f*cking shame on you. Honestly you should have been written up for your callous behavior and abrasive tone. I really hope that other poor employee wasn't permanently emotionally scarred after you berated them.
I was offended and pissed off for about a quarter of a second there. Damn Gen Z'rs.