Last week, Kotaku’s Jason Schreier published an expose on BioWare detailing Anthem’s troubled development. Now, he’s offered up an interest behind-the-scenes look at how BioWare’s next game is shaping up. While much of BioWare is still scrambling to turn Anthem into a serviceable game, the sequel to the beloved Dragon Age series of RPGs is also in the works.
The version in development now is actually the second, with an earlier take on the series – codenamed Joplin – cancelled in 2017. That version would have been a smaller game with an emphasis on player choice. It would be focused on replayable magical spy heists in wizard-ruled Tevinter Imperium. According to those who worked on it, it was “very cool,” but the team was shifted to the ill-fated Mass Effect: Andromeda to help finish that mess. Shortly after returning to work on Joplin, much of the team was moved to work on Anthem and BioWare cancelled the RPG-in-progress.
The version that’s in development now is codenamed Morrison, and it’s being “built on Anthem’s tools and codebase.” That may or may not be a good thing. It does mean that BioWare isn’t starting from scratch as they tend to do, which may mean a more streamlined development. The concerning bit in the report, however, is that Dragon Age 4 “is planned with a live service component”. Some of the BioWare staff in the report have even called it “Anthem with Dragons.” That might not be cause for worry just yet though, as the overall picture for the next game is hopeful, with a story that’s “designed for single-player”, but a multiplayer element that’s implemented to “keep people engaged so they would actually stick with post-launch content.”
If it’s done as it was in Inquisition or Mass Effect 3, then it’s something that’s easy enough to ignore. What I don’t think any Dragon Age players want is forced multiplayer that impacts on their own role-playing experiences. It’s still very early in development, and I presume (and hope) that the developer and its publisher can learn from past mistakes. With BioWare as it is today, and EA’s mandated live services though, anything is possible. you should read the full report here.
Last Updated: April 10, 2019
Guz
April 10, 2019 at 12:15
Forced multiplayer in an RPG?! They can F&^K right off, thank you.
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
April 10, 2019 at 11:07
Hahahaha! Join me in seeing how Bioware learns 0% out of Anthem and literally dumpsterfire’s the whole Dragon Age IP as well. https://media0.giphy.com/media/iDJuQR0UmiqOI/giphy.gif
G8crasha
April 10, 2019 at 11:30
Recent history has shown Bioware’s fall from grace, but I want to believe they can pick themselves up again, and soldier forward with better quality games. I hope!!!! They have a history of releasing amazing games, so it is in their blood – they’ve just been infected by something during the last few games that has made them ill!
Guz
April 10, 2019 at 12:15
I can laugh at this, it’s just making me mad….
Pariah
April 10, 2019 at 11:08
I don’t think it’ll be BioWare doing the dumpstering. Their name will be there, but it’ll be EA’s shot-calling that does it.
It’s sad to see EA’s pattern of milking and then closing studios seems to be repeating once again. It’s ominous, especially considering the calibre that once was BioWare.
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
April 10, 2019 at 11:29
It is sad though seeing the pattern. Visceral Games was one of my favourite studios and mainly for Dante’s Inferno. They could have made an EPIC Star Wars storybased RPG and I would have loved it. Sigh…
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
April 10, 2019 at 11:19
Nah, this was definitely greatly Bioware’s fault. In the end it is their fault if they put out trash with their name on it. Yeah EA is terrible, but Bioware messed up something insane with Anthem. That Kotaku article showed it very well.
I mean, I was hoping it was EA being trash, but seems Bioware is the problem now. They refuse to evolve and actual be better.
Kromas
April 10, 2019 at 11:19
Have to agree. Bioware screwed the pooch with both Andromeda and Anthem. Sure EA had a hand by giving them only 7 years to develop Anthem but hey that is the price you pay.
Original Heretic
April 10, 2019 at 11:19
“only” 7 years….
Admiral Chief
April 10, 2019 at 12:00
Shame, did Llew work on the project?
Original Heretic
April 10, 2019 at 11:08
Reading this made me wanna strangle someone.
Any volunteers? I’m not allowed to just pick someone random, the security guards have my face memorized.
Kromas
April 10, 2019 at 11:19
As long as I can wear a batman suit and play with myself.
Original Heretic
April 10, 2019 at 11:19
I…um…ah fuck you ruined it.
Now all I wanna do is strangle Batman.
CrAiGiSh
April 10, 2019 at 15:42
Soooooo, its going to flop then …
jimz0r
April 11, 2019 at 07:11
https://media.giphy.com/media/LSmULmByAQHQs/giphy.gif