I think we can all agree that the Bioware that stands right now is a very different company to the one that put out some of the most beloved RPGs of the modern era. The developer last two games have been ill-received damp squibs. Mass Effect Andromeda was a hastily cobbled together game that didn’t quite reach the heights of the previous games, while “Destiny killer” Anthem was more of a mood killer than anything else.
The last great hope for Bioware to return to pride of place in general gamer consciousness is the fourth Dragon Age game, Dragon Age: The Dread Wolf Rises. Announced officially at the end of last year, we know very little about the direction the new game is going. We do, however, know which direction the game’s lead producer is going: out the door.
This weekend, Dragon Age lead producer Fernando Melo announced he was leaving Bioware. Melo worked as a senior producer on both Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2. He’s the second lead producer to leave Bioware in the same week, with Anthem’s lead Ben Irving hanging up his hat too.
In his parting letter to Bioware colleagues, Melo said that the next Dragon Age – codenamed Morrison – “well underway to becoming the definitive Dragon Age experience”.
“I’m incredibly proud and honoured to have played a part in that. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to experience the next Dragon Age as a fan this time around.”
Having a lead producer leave at this stage is probably not the best sign for the state of the game – but given how little we know about the game at this point, it’s far too early to call. I sincerely hope the next Dragon Age delivers – because for me, the last one, Inquisition, didn’t. While it had lovely characters and some great writing, far too much of the game felt like inconsequential fetch-quests and elfroot picking.
Last Updated: August 19, 2019
Original Heretic
August 19, 2019 at 10:14
What kind of savage didn’t enjoy Dragon Age 3?!
Oh, it’s Geoff.
Geoffrey Tim
August 19, 2019 at 10:35
Inquisition was okay. I mean, i gave it 100 hours of my life. Better than 2, but paled compared to Origins.
Geoffrey Tim
August 19, 2019 at 10:35
Inquisition was okay. I mean, i gave it 100 hours of my life. Better than 2, but paled compared to Origins.
Pariah
August 19, 2019 at 10:42
Oddly I didn’t enjoy Origins as much as I did Inquisition. I did enjoy it, certainly, but it doesn’t hold that same spot in my gaming heart.
Original Heretic
August 19, 2019 at 11:10
Origins is also my favourite.
2 was the “okay” one for me.
Original Heretic
August 19, 2019 at 11:10
Origins is also my favourite.
2 was the “okay” one for me.
For the Emperor!
August 19, 2019 at 13:27
“too much of the game felt like inconsequential fetch-quests and elfroot picking” – even the “BIG” quest lines felt like they had little pay-off. Good time plying through it the first time, but zero drive to get more than 10 hours into any subsequent attempts. While the Mass Effect Trilogy I have finished multiple times…
Yahtzee
August 19, 2019 at 10:14
So much for that “we are committed to Anthem” bullshit.
Pariah
August 19, 2019 at 10:51
EA strikes again. BioWare is about to join other heroes in Valhalla, such as Maxis, Westwood and Bullfrog. May your fight for great games live on in legend.
Llama In The Rift
August 19, 2019 at 13:43
The Solas arc is enough to drive me away from the forth title…have zero intrest as him being the main antagonist…understand there are fans who liked him as a companion such and are glad they get more content and a game (though live services as rumors stated) but yeah not for me.
Il’l be in the deep roads fighting of Darkspawn until my life perishes….like the future of Dragon Age.
Pariah
August 19, 2019 at 13:55
I never liked Solas.It was a surprise twist when he was revealed as the villain, but it was w/e for me.
I felt significantly more in Anthem (yes)when Owen turned on us.
Llama In The Rift
August 19, 2019 at 14:36
I have no idea who Owen is LOL…
So basicly Bioware used a similar plot point from Dragon Age on Anthem?!
Pariah
August 19, 2019 at 14:36
Not at all, no. Just because there’s a twist doesn’t make it the same.
Llama In The Rift
August 19, 2019 at 14:56
No Agree…a twist does not make it the same but common,2 different games has an betrayal twist of 2 bold guys(googled Owen)…. if it was 2 different Production Studios i’d understand but this is Bioware who has all the source material from all their previous titles, how can someone not start looking at similarities if you were a hardcore Bioware fan like i use to be.
Pariah
August 19, 2019 at 14:56
I actually played both games through the entire story. They were very different in character, execution, timing, plot relevance, etc. Not comparable. It’s like saying an Apple and a Chilli are the same thing because they’re both red. Yes, they’re both red, but they couldn’t be more different.
Pariah
August 19, 2019 at 14:56
Now I won’t say anything about the story AFTER that plot twist in Anthem, because there was none, but that’s not the point here. XD
konfab
August 19, 2019 at 10:06
GIVE ME MUH POULTICES
Guz
August 19, 2019 at 11:58
Trouble in paradise
For the Emperor!
August 19, 2019 at 13:20
““Destiny killer” Anthem was more of a mood killer than anything else” – HAHAHAHA!!!!