EA CEO Andrew Wilson attributes the financial underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard to its failure to connect with a sufficiently broad audience. This follows last week's restructuring of BioWare, the developer, to focus solely on Mass Effect 5, resulting in some Veilguard staff being reassigned within EA.

EA's financial report revealed that Dragon Age: The Veilguard, despite a reported 1.5 million players, fell significantly short of projected engagement figures—nearly 50% below expectations. IGN previously documented the game's troubled development, including layoffs and the departure of key personnel. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reported that BioWare staff considered the game's completion a remarkable feat given EA's initial push for live-service elements, later reversed.

Wilson, in an investor call, suggested that future role-playing games require "shared-world features and deeper engagement" alongside strong narratives to broaden appeal beyond the core fanbase. He acknowledged the game's positive critical reception but emphasized its limited market reach.

This perspective is challenged by EA's prior decision to significantly overhaul Dragon Age's development, shifting it from a planned multiplayer game to a single-player RPG. The success of recent single-player titles like Baldur's Gate 3 further questions EA's assessment. Many fans believe EA drew the wrong conclusions from The Veilguard's performance. The future of the Dragon Age franchise remains uncertain.

EA CFO Stuart Canfield linked BioWare's restructuring—a reported reduction from 200 to under 100 employees—to the evolving gaming landscape and the need to prioritize high-potential projects. He highlighted the industry's historical reliance on blockbuster storytelling but acknowledged the shift in market dynamics. This is significant given that single-player games represent a small fraction of EA's revenue, with live-service titles (74% in the past year) driving the majority of profits, largely fueled by Ultimate Team and contributions from games like Apex Legends and The Sims. Upcoming titles like Skate and the next Battlefield are also expected to incorporate live-service elements.