Dragon Age Director Says Anthem Taught BioWare To Focus Only On “What You’re Good At”

Dragon Age Director Says Anthem Taught BioWare To Focus Only On “What You’re Good At”

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and anticipation when it comes to BioWare and their upcoming releases. After all, I’ve been there through the highs (Mass Effect trilogy) and the lows (Anthem).


Story Highlights

  • The Dragon Age director has said Anthem taught BioWare to focus on only its strengths.
  • He said that when you are good at something, then double down on it. 
  • Dragon Age: The Veilguard will drop later this year for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.

In an interview with Edge Magazine (thanks to 80 Level), the creative director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, John Epler, mentioned that BioWare learned from Anthem to concentrate solely on their “core competencies.” They acknowledged the importance of emphasizing strengths, which is why they’re ready to deliver a strong sequel and avoid the issues faced with Anthem.

The project manager shared that he takes great pride in Anthem, having worked on it for a year and a half. However, he acknowledged that our team wasn’t particularly skilled in the game’s main focus. In hindsight, the most valuable lesson learned was understanding one’s strengths and emphasizing them rather than trying to do too many things at once.

As a seasoned game developer with years of experience under my belt, I’ve learned that taking unwarranted risks can often lead to disappointing outcomes. I’ve seen projects crash and burn because developers were too eager to push boundaries without considering the consequences. But when it comes to creating the next Dragon Age sequel, I understand the importance of harnessing the team’s collective strengths. We have a unique blend of skills, experiences, and passions that make us a formidable force in the gaming world. By leveraging these talents, I believe we can craft an unforgettable experience for players that will take the Dragon Age franchise to new heights.

Our studio thrives on immersive storytelling and roleplaying, with a strong emphasis on these aspects. It’s important to stick to what we know best – focusing on creating a compelling narrative for a single-player RPG. We’re not about spreading ourselves thin trying new things that may be beyond our current skillset.

Anthem Had Many Fun Elements That Were Never Fully Realized

Anthem’s flight and battle mechanics were enjoyable, and its world has stuck in my mind vividly. Yet, it didn’t succeed as expected due to insufficient content and other problems. Conversely, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a single-player RPG that aligns perfectly with the studio’s narrative strengths, leaving many gamers eagerly anticipating the sequel.

Dragon Age Director Says Anthem Taught BioWare To Focus Only On “What You’re Good At”

Similar Reads:

  • Former BioWare Director’s New Studio Is Working On A Game In Unreal Engine.
  • Dragon Age: The Veilguard Is Not A Live-Service Game By Any Means, Dev Confirms.
  • Mass Effect 5 Is In Development By Trilogy Veterans, Confirms The BioWare Project Director.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will come out for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 later this year, though an exact release date hasn’t been announced yet. Meanwhile, Mass Effect 5 is being actively developed by members of the original trilogy team, but it seems like we won’t be seeing it anytime soon.

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2024-08-13 10:13