Former BioWare Lead Says Dragon Age: The Veilguard Team was ‘Jerked Around’ Due to EA’s Disinterest in the Franchise

Introduction

Former Dragon Age series executive producer, Mark Darrah, has revealed that he felt the development team for *Dragon Age: The Veilguard* did not receive adequate support from both BioWare and EA during its initial stages. Darrah recently shared insights into his experiences working on the franchise, specifically addressing events around 2017. This period, he claims, was a pivotal time in BioWare’s history. He highlights decisions that not only affected the progress of *Dragon Age: The Veilguard* but also were tied to the final stretch of *Mass Effect: Andromeda’s* creation.

Darrah’s Allegations of Disinterest and Lack of Support

Darrah explained that the *Dragon Age* team felt sidelined and unsupported by both BioWare and EA.

• He described the *Dragon Age* team as feeling “jerked around.”
• He believed there was a distinct absence of backing from both BioWare and EA.
• He suggested EA leadership was intensely focused on Mass Effect, leaving the Dragon Age team wanting.
• Darrah’s move to help finish Mass Effect was meant to free up Dragon Age resources, but this didn’t fully materialize.

The Impact of Leadership Changes at BioWare

Darrah emphasized the significance of leadership discontinuity during the early stages of *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*’s development.

• His transition to assist with *Mass Effect: Andromeda* marked the first time a project lead left a project to aid another.
• This set a negative precedent and raised concerns about the stability of project leadership.
• He believes it is risky to have a project running without its primary leaders, as it can cause instability in the team.
• He expressed concerns about how the precedent can have cascading effects throughout the studio’s culture.

Mass Effect: Andromeda’s Launch and Shifting Priorities

The release of *Mass Effect: Andromeda* occurred in March 2017 and faced considerable criticism. This coincided with a period of structural change at BioWare, including new leadership from EA.

• *Andromeda*’s poor reception shifted EA’s focus away from the *Mass Effect* franchise.
• The new EA leadership exhibited “hyper interest” in BioWare’s projects, marking a stark change.
• Despite the change, Darrah felt that *Dragon Age* was still not receiving the attention and resources it required.
• This situation created uncertainty and challenges for the *Dragon Age* development team.

EA’s Promises and the Focus on Anthem

Darrah recounted approaching EA’s CEO and another executive with concerns about the lack of support for *Dragon Age*, receiving assurances of its importance.

• He specifically mentioned approaching Andrew Wilson and Patrick Söderlund.
• Despite promises, EA’s support did not translate into substantial resource allocation for *Dragon Age*.
• The announcement of Casey Hudson’s return as a BioWare leader came without consulting Darrah.
• Darrah predicted that BioWare’s focus would shift to Anthem, which proved to be accurate.

The Return of Casey Hudson and Perceived Disrespect

Darrah conveyed his feelings of disrespect regarding the hiring of Casey Hudson.

• He noted that he was not consulted during Hudson’s hiring process, despite being the second most senior person at BioWare.
• While he acknowledged that his involvement may not have changed the decision, the lack of consultation was disrespectful.
• He emphasized the significance of the hire and the decision-making process involved.
• The lack of communication signaled a disconnect between leadership and senior staff, raising concerns about transparency.

Erosion of Trust and Shifting Resources

Darrah expressed that his trust in EA was repeatedly challenged as resources were diverted from *Dragon Age* to *Anthem*.

• He felt that EA’s promises were not upheld, leading to a decline in trust.
• The shift of resources towards *Anthem* continued until 2019.
• These resource shifts led to “fundamental” changes in the nature of the *Dragon Age* project.
• The consistent diversion of resources had a detrimental impact on the overall development process and morale of the Dragon Age team.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Reception and Layoffs

Despite positive reviews, EA considered *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*’s launch a disappointment, contributing to layoffs within BioWare.

• The game’s launch failed to “resonate with a broad enough audience,” according to EA.
• Former BioWare developers disputed this assessment, suggesting alternative approaches.
• Subsequent layoffs occurred in January, with the studio shifting focus back to *Mass Effect 5*.
• These events underscored the volatile nature of game development and the impact of corporate decisions on creative teams.

Conclusion

Mark Darrah’s candid revelations highlight the challenges and frustrations faced by the *Dragon Age: The Veilguard* team during its development. His account sheds light on the complex dynamics between developers and publishers, emphasizing the critical importance of support, communication, and trust in the creation of successful games. The issues detailed in this article should continue to be discussed as they have widespread implications for the gaming industry.