Released on October 31, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the latest installment in the acclaimed Dragon Age franchise, has seen an unexpected wave of refunds. Reports from sources close to EA and BioWare reveal that player dissatisfaction has driven significant refund requests across multiple platforms, including Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox, where players are allowed to return games under specific conditions.
Positive Media Reviews vs. Fan Discontent
Initial reviews from major outlets such as IGN and Kotaku praised The Veilguard, highlighting its peak concurrent player count of 89,418 on Steam as a sign of success. However, reports from independent sources, including YouTuber Endymion, suggest a different story from the player community. According to Endymion, over 30,000 refunds have been processed in recent days, with disappointed players citing various gameplay, storyline issues, and the forced injection of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) politics.
Fans Voice Concerns Over Gameplay and Tone
The criticisms voiced in player reviews paint The Veilguard as a departure from the series’ traditional tone. Many users have noted the game’s light-hearted approach, contrasting it with the darker, grittier tone that has been a hallmark of earlier Dragon Age games like Dragon Age: Origins. On Google, The Veilguard currently holds a user rating of 2.3 out of 5, with over 4,500 reviews. Comments reflect a general discontent, with some players describing the plot and character depth as uninspired.
Pre-Order and Sales Numbers Fall Short
Further highlighting The Veilguard’s struggles, pre-order numbers reportedly fell short of industry expectations. Endymion’s sources indicate that pre-orders across all platforms totaled between 70,000 to 75,000, a significant drop for a highly anticipated title. By comparison, The Veilguard has managed an estimated 500,000 total sales to date—considered underwhelming for a major franchise like Dragon Age.
While neither EA nor BioWare has commented directly on the refund wave, industry insiders speculate that these figures may signal a need for reassessment within the studio. Some sources have hinted that the unexpectedly high refund numbers could spur future game updates or adjustments to bring the title more in line with fan expectations.
