Dragon Age: The Veilguard has set social media aflame, sparking lively debate between series veterans and newcomers alike. Amid the din, few voices resonate as powerfully as David Gaider’s—the original world-builder of Thedas and the lead writer behind the franchise’s most cherished moments. Recently, Gaider offered candid thoughts on BioWare’s latest chapter, the creative push-and-pull under EA, and why Larian Studios’ approach with Baldur’s Gate 3 might be the very playbook BioWare needed all along.
Struggles Behind the Scenes
Gaider doesn’t sugarcoat the creative and financial pressures that Dragon Age endured during his stint, especially as EA’s attention was split by giants like Star Wars: The Old Republic. According to Gaider, the series’ dramatic shifts in tone—from Origins’ tactical depth to Inquisition’s vast open worlds—often resulted from overcorrections and internal uncertainty. “Even though Dragon Age only catered to the RPG audience—at least initially—[EA] kept wanting it to move into the action space as well,” Gaider recalls.
Veilguard’s Pivots: Bitter and Sweet
For Gaider, watching the franchise trade intricate party management for Veilguard’s streamlined, action-first focus is bittersweet. He freely admits he hasn’t played the latest game, finding it difficult to revisit a world he once shaped but has since left behind. While Veilguard promises new regions of Thedas to explore, its shift toward cinematic storytelling and mission-driven pacing comes at the expense of the classic RPG complexity that won over longtime fans.
Gaider compares the series’ evolution to the Alien film franchise: every installment pivots in a new stylistic direction, reacting to criticisms of what came before. He remembers Dragon Age 2’s narrower focus as a necessity, squeezed by resource constraints and EA’s demand for frequent releases. Inquisition, meanwhile, pulled the pendulum the other way, expanding into a sprawling open-world epic. Veilguard, it appears, is yet another course correction—shaped by internal ambition and external pressures alike.
What Larian Got Right
Context is everything. Gaider contends that EA never fully understood what made Dragon Age shine, steering it toward mainstream trends instead of doubling down on its RPG roots. Larian Studios, by comparison, dove headlong into genre tradition with Baldur’s Gate 3: deeply branching stories, nuanced characters, and top-tier production values. The result? BG3 defied the “niche” label, winning over critics and players with its unflinching commitment to RPG fundamentals.
Gaider is quick to acknowledge that replicating Larian’s success isn’t as simple as flipping a switch—BioWare answers to EA’s corporate priorities, while Larian enjoys far more creative freedom. Nevertheless, he believes that authenticity and creative focus are the real keys to building a lasting franchise.
Pride and Melancholy
Watching Dragon Age’s evolution from afar, Gaider feels both pride and a tinge of sadness. He applauds the series’ continuing strength in character-driven storytelling, yet can’t help but wonder what might have been if the team had stayed true to its roots. For now, he remains a fan—balancing excitement with just a hint of wistfulness.