To no one’s surprise, Dragon Age: The Veilguard engaged only 1.5 million players in its initial months—nearly 50% below Electronic Arts’ (EA) projections. This shortfall has prompted EA’s CEO, Andrew Wilson, to reflect on the game’s design choices and make one of the most out-of-touch comments, prompting gamers to raise their eyebrows at EA.
EA’s Perspective on The Veilguard‘s Performance
Despite a high-quality launch and favorable reviews, The Veilguard didn’t resonate as expected. Wilson attributes this to the absence of, live-service elements, “shared-world features” and “deeper engagement” elements, suggesting that modern gamers seek more interactive and communal experiences. Most gamers do not want live-service on a single player game, so this comment from EA’s CEO drew a lot of anger from gamers.
The Debate: Single-Player vs. Live-Service Models
Wilson’s comments have ignited discussions within the gaming community. Many argue that the success of recent single-player titles demonstrates a sustained demand for narrative-driven experiences. Critics caution that an overemphasis on live-service components could compromise the storytelling depth that franchises like Dragon Age are known for.
Implications for BioWare and Future Projects
The underperformance of The Veilguard has led to significant changes at BioWare, including internal restructuring and layoffs. As the studio shifts focus to upcoming projects like Mass Effect 5, there’s a palpable concern among fans about the potential integration of live-service elements in future titles.
