EA's Andrew Wilson attributes the financial underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard to its failure to connect with a wider audience. Last week's restructuring of BioWare, focusing solely on Mass Effect 5, saw personnel shifts following the game's disappointing sales. EA reported only 1.5 million players engaged with The Veilguard, significantly below projections.

IGN previously documented The Veilguard's troubled development, including layoffs and the departure of key personnel. According to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, BioWare staff considered the game's completion a miracle given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed.

Wilson, in an investor call, suggested future RPGs require "shared-world features and deeper engagement," alongside strong narratives, to expand beyond the core fanbase. He praised The Veilguard's quality but acknowledged its limited audience reach in a competitive market. This statement is perplexing given EA's own decision to significantly restructure the Dragon Age development, pivoting from a live-service model to a single-player experience.

Many fans criticize EA's interpretation of The Veilguard's failure, citing the recent success of single-player RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3. The future of Dragon Age remains uncertain.

EA CFO Stuart Canfield highlighted the industry's shifting landscape and the rationale behind BioWare's restructuring to prioritize Mass Effect 5, a move that reportedly reduced the studio's size considerably. He emphasized the importance of reallocating resources to maximize potential returns.

It's crucial to note that single-player games contribute minimally to EA's overall revenue. Live service games, particularly Ultimate Team, account for the majority (74% in the past year), with significant contributions from titles like Apex Legends and The Sims. Future EA titles, including Skate and the next Battlefield, are also expected to incorporate live-service elements.