What's Happening?
Mark Darrah, a former executive producer at BioWare, revealed that Electronic Arts rejected a proposal to remaster the original Dragon Age trilogy. The idea was to rebrand the first three games as the Champions trilogy, similar to the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Darrah explained that EA has historically been against remasters, despite their potential profitability. The rejection was partly due to the technical challenges of remastering games built on different engines and the financial constraints within BioWare. EA's stance appears to be that remasters should be done without additional funding.
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Why It's Important?
The rejection of the Dragon Age trilogy remaster highlights EA's cautious approach to remastering older games, despite the success of similar projects like the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. This decision may disappoint fans hoping for updated versions of the Dragon Age series. It also reflects the broader industry trend where companies weigh the costs and benefits of remastering games. EA's reluctance to invest in remasters could impact its relationship with fans and influence its future strategy regarding legacy titles. The decision underscores the challenges developers face in balancing new projects with potential remasters.
Beyond the Headlines
The rejection of the remaster proposal may have implications for BioWare's internal dynamics, as resources are allocated to new projects rather than revisiting older ones. This decision could affect the studio's creative direction and its ability to leverage its existing IPs. Additionally, the rivalry between BioWare's Dragon Age and Mass Effect teams, as mentioned by Darrah, may influence the studio's focus and resource distribution. The decision not to pursue remasters could lead to a shift in BioWare's strategy, prioritizing new developments over revisiting past successes.
