Dragon Age: The Veilguard – A Single-Player Gem Lost in the Franchise

BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard has been available for less than a year, yet Electronic Arts (EA) is already looking to distance itself from the game. Despite drawing in 1.5 million players, half of what EA expected, the fantasy role-playing game (RPG) has failed to meet the publisher’s sales projections. The game’s lack of DLC and poor performance have contributed to a significant shake-up in the team responsible for developing The Veilguard.

A Single-Player Misstep

The situation is not a positive one for fans of the Dragon Age franchise or BioWare. The game’s failure to resonate with a broad audience is attributed to its absence of live-service elements, a feature that EA believes was crucial for success. This is contrary to previous Dragon Age games, which had a stronger focus on single-player experience. In fact, BioWare’s decision to pivot The Veilguard from a multiplayer-driven game to a single-player one is seen as an impressive feat, especially considering the resources allocated to the game were lower than those invested in EA’s sports titles.

Disappointing Sales Figures

Comparing The Veilguard to previous Dragon Age games reveals a stark contrast in sales figures. Dragon Age: Origins sold 3.2 million copies in a few months, while Dragon Age II reached two million copies within two months of its release. Dragon Age: Inquisition, on the other hand, has sold 12 million copies since its release in 2014, largely due to its well-received storyline and large marketing push at the time.

Living in a World of Change

The gaming industry is shifting towards live-service games, which can generate continuous revenue through ongoing multiplayer experiences. However, sacrificing single-player games has proven to be a double-edged sword. Single-player games rely on their reliability, as opposed to the volatile nature of live-service games that can be impacted by post-launch changes and player interest.

A plethora of live-service titles have been abandoned or shut down in recent years, including MultiVersus, Resident Evil Re: Verse, Blue Protocol, and Marvel’s Avengers. In contrast, single-player games have shown a consistent rise in popularity, with titles like Suicide Squad and Skull & Bones experiencing a renewed following after releasing a single-player experience.

The Importance of Single-Player Games

The gaming industry needs single-player games, and BioWare’s expertise in this area is crucial. By devoting their resources to titles like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, EA can tap into the tried-and-true market for single-player experiences. While incorporating multiplayer elements can be beneficial, it’s essential to strike a balance between the two,much like the success of the Borderlands franchise.

In conclusion, The Veilguard’s failure highlights the Gaming industry’s need for single-player games and EA’s reducing core-studios by abandoning them by utilizing all of the contributor-talent & knowledge gained.