EA CEO 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 from the Dragon Age team to other EA projects.

This followed EA's announcement of The Veilguard's disappointing sales, falling nearly 50% short of projections despite engaging 1.5 million players. IGN previously documented development challenges, including layoffs and the departure of key personnel. According to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, BioWare staff viewed the game's completion as a feat given EA's initial push for, and subsequent reversal of, live-service elements.

Wilson, in an investor call, suggested future RPGs require "shared-world features and deeper engagement alongside high-quality narratives" to broaden appeal beyond the core fanbase. He praised the game's quality and critical reception but acknowledged its limited market reach.

This statement is perplexing given EA's significant restructuring of the Dragon Age development, shifting it from a live-service model to a single-player RPG. The success of recent single-player titles like Baldur's Gate 3 suggests EA may have misjudged the market. The future of Dragon Age remains uncertain.

EA CFO Stuart Canfield linked BioWare's restructuring to prioritizing Mass Effect 5, noting the downsizing of the studio. He emphasized the shift in the industry landscape and the need to focus resources on high-potential projects.

It's crucial to note that single-player games contribute minimally to EA's overall revenue, which heavily relies (74% in the last year) on live-service titles like Ultimate Team, Apex Legends, and The Sims. Future projects like Skate and the next Battlefield will also likely incorporate live-service elements.