What's Happening?
EA has decided not to fund remasters of the Dragon Age series, including Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, and Dragon Age: Inquisition. Former Dragon Age director Mark Darrah revealed on a podcast that BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age, lacks the financial resources to undertake remaster projects due to commitments to other games. EA's stance appears to be that BioWare should use existing funds for any remastering efforts, which is not feasible given the studio's current projects. Darrah noted that EA generally opposes remastering games, despite the potential for easy revenue. The technical challenges of remastering the Dragon Age games are compounded by their development on different proprietary engines, making a unified remaster collection difficult.
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Why It's Important?
The decision by EA not to fund Dragon Age remasters impacts fans of the series who have been anticipating updated versions of these popular RPGs. It highlights the financial and strategic priorities within EA, which may prioritize new game development over remastering older titles. This decision could influence the gaming industry by setting a precedent for how major publishers handle remastering projects, potentially affecting the availability of updated versions of classic games. The technical challenges associated with remastering games developed on different engines also underscore the complexities involved in such projects, which could deter other companies from pursuing similar endeavors.
What's Next?
BioWare and EA may continue focusing on new game development rather than remastering older titles. Fans of the Dragon Age series may need to rely on community mods or unofficial updates to experience enhanced versions of the games. The gaming community may react by voicing their disappointment or seeking alternative ways to enjoy the series. EA's approach to remastering could influence other publishers' strategies, potentially leading to fewer remastered games in the future.
