Dragon Age 4: what happened to BioWare’s RPG?

Since their debut occurred with Origins in 2009, Dragon Age helped set the standard for Western 3D RPGs. Today however, the fears related to BioWare are wasted and while we hope to see Dragon Age 4 to the TGA, there are those who wonder what happened to the project. Proceeding step by step, here is an account of its development.

• 2015: the planning of the fourth chapter of the series begins, with Mike Laidlaw in the role of creative director. Initially, the plans were to create a smaller experience than Dragon Age: Inquisition, but with attention to the smallest details and focused on the choices of the players.
• 2016: due to problems encountered during the development of Mass Effect: Andromeda – which at the time required all possible help in view of the imminent release – work on the new Dragon Age undergoes a forced arrest.
• 2017: the second half of that year sees Anthem in serious trouble. The leaders EA and BioWare, in an attempt to save him, take a drastic decision and move the entire team dedicated to fantasy on the GaaS destined to die. Meantime, Matthew Goldman takes on the role of new creative director.
• 2018: The so-called Joplin project, which until then had identified the development of a single player RPG, is canceled and replaced with a new vision of the product. Behind this choice, according to various rumors, the intention of having more monetization opportunities. In response, however, several veterans of the software house (including the aforementioned Laidlaw) leave the company. In December of the same year, Dragon Age 4 is announced on stage at The Game Awards.
• 2019: referring to a plausible exit window, Electronic Arts is unbalanced by indicating the year 2023.
• 2020: during the award ceremony presented by Geoff Keighley, BioWare shows the first trailer dedicated to the video game, declaring that it is still in the early stages of design.
• 2021: according to what emerged from the pages of Bloomberg News, the success of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and the peak interest in Anthem Next would have pushed EA to retrace its steps, opting again for a single player experience.

It is a few days ago the news that Dragon Age 4 also lose Matthew Goldman. On the pages of .it you will also find an old special relating to the history and gameplay of Dragon Age 4, with more current than ever reflections on the project still in the pipeline.