Can you believe it’s been five years since the fourth Dragon Age game was announced at The Game Awards in 2018? The return of former companion Solas as its antagonist in Dreadwolf should have had fans ecstatic, but instead, excitement is at an all-time low.
How disappointing is it that fans of Dragon Age and Thedas aren’t expecting any news at The Game Awards 2023 on Dec. 7, or even on the unofficial “Dragon Age Day” on Dec. 4?
Game of the Year-worthy Dragon Age: Inquisition feels like a lifetime ago. Image via BioWare
The disappointment continues to grow as we wait for the release of the game. Five years is a long time to not see a game launch following its reveal; Skull and Bones knows a thing or two about that. But the wait for something substantial has only gotten worse thanks to a number of adverse factors.
And to think about all the issues surrounding Dreadwolf. It’s heart-breaking. Learning about its incredibly volatile development doesn’t help. From its early life as a project codenamed “Joplin,” the game has faced so much turmoil. According to respected journalist Jason Schreier, it was originally to be a smaller and more narrative-focused game than its predecessor.
Then, Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem brought BioWare to its knees; the result of a tunnel-vision-like focus from publisher Electronic Arts to push for live services in all of its flagship products. After that, “Joplin” was canceled and replaced by “Morrison,” which was to be a game more in-line with EA’s demands. This is the Dragon Age that was teased at the end of 2018.
Anthem failed to convince many of its merits, even if there were genuine bright spots. Image via EA
With so many reworks and a significant turnover of staff, no one truly knows what to expect from Dreadwolf anymore. And it’s not just the game that’s struggling. Although the recent teaser trailer for the next Mass Effect was welcomed with open arms, the studio is still recovering from 50 layoffs in August 2023.
The many delays of Dreadwolf has led to the most bizarre set of circumstances. In 2017, reports surfaced that the sci-fi stalwart had been put “on ice.” For many fans, the scenario looked bleak. However, just three years later, the fifth Mass Effect entry was officially confirmed, with a full trailer to boot.