Former Dragon Age lead writer expresses doubts about the franchise’s future.

The future of Dragon Age is still a hot topic, especially after 2024’s The Veilguard didn’t quite hit the mark. David Gaider, the lead writer behind the first three Dragon Age titles, has shared his less-than-optimistic view on the series’ prospects.

In a recent chat, Gaider expressed that it seems “unlikely” for Dragon Age to thrive under its current publisher. He reflected on his time at BioWare, noting that Electronic Arts often treated the series like “the redheaded stepchild,” favoring the more action-driven Mass Effect instead. He recalled that when Dragon Age performed well, it was dismissed as a “fluke,” while any shortcomings of Mass Effect were met with justifications.

The Veilguard had a tumultuous development journey that spanned nearly a decade, with numerous changes in direction. Upon its release in 2024, it received mostly positive feedback, with some reviews highlighting it as “BioWare at its best,” noting that while it took time to gain momentum, it ultimately captivated players. The game also attracted 1.5 million players within its first two months.

However, by February 2025, just five months post-launch, Electronic Arts declared The Veilguard a failure. CEO Andrew Wilson stated in an earnings call that the game “did not resonate with a broad enough audience in this highly competitive market.” Around the same time, the publisher announced that several developers from The Veilguard team were reassigned to other projects. Meanwhile, the core BioWare team is focused on the next Mass Effect installment, which was first revealed in 2020 but has seen little progress since.

Despite the challenges, Gaider expressed a willingness to return to the series, provided Electronic Arts isn’t involved. He acknowledged that revitalizing the franchise would be a tough task, but one he finds intriguing. Gaider aims to “go back to the basics of what made Dragon Age appealing” while also exploring darker, more provocative themes. For now, the future of Dragon Age remains uncertain.

The series truly shines in its more intimate moments.