In a recent video, Mark Darrah, former executive producer at BioWare, shared insights from his two-decade tenure at the studio. He revealed that around 2016, EA aimed to elevate the Dragon Age series to a “billion-dollar” franchise. To achieve this, Darrah proposed releasing three Dragon Age games in quick succession.

At that time, BioWare was developing a version of Dragon Age 4 codenamed “Joplin.” The plan was to launch “Joplin” around 2019 or 2020, followed by two sequels, each developed in about 18 months. This approach intended to minimize downloadable content (DLC), focusing instead on delivering full-fledged sequels promptly.

However, development faced challenges. Team members were redirected to assist with Mass Effect: Andromeda, leading to delays. Following that, resources shifted to Anthem, another major BioWare project. Consequently, the vision for Dragon Age 4 transformed into a live-service model, resulting in a new version codenamed “Morrison.” Eventually, this too was set aside, paving the way for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Despite these efforts, The Veilguard did not meet EA’s sales expectations. Following its release, many writers associated with the series either departed, were reassigned, or faced layoffs. This outcome diverged significantly from Darrah’s original vision for the franchise.

Reflecting on the journey, Darrah acknowledged that while the ambitious plan didn’t materialize as hoped, it brought the franchise “closer than you would think” to EA’s lofty goals. The challenges underscore the complexities of game development and the unpredictable nature of the industry.

Source: TheGamer