Why a Dragon Age Trilogy Remaster Remains a Distant Dream: EA’s Stance on Revivals
The allure of revisiting classic games with modern enhancements is a powerful force in the gaming industry. For fans of BioWare’s epic fantasy saga, the Dragon Age trilogy, the prospect of a remastered collection has long been a tantalizing, yet elusive, dream. While other beloved franchises have received the remaster treatment, allowing a new generation (or returning veterans) to experience their magic with updated graphics and gameplay, the Dragon Age series remains untouched. But why? The answer, according to former Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah, lies in Electronic Arts’ (EA) historical stance against remasters.
Mark Darrah’s Insight: EA’s Hesitation
Mark Darrah, a prominent figure in Dragon Age’s development history, has been vocal about his desire to see the trilogy remastered. In various interviews and online discussions, he has expressed his belief that the series holds immense value and would benefit greatly from a visual and technical upgrade. However, Darrah has also indicated that EA, the publisher of the Dragon Age franchise, has historically been resistant to the idea of remasters, especially remasters of such a large and important franchises.
Darrah’s perspective provides crucial insight into the inner workings of game development and the decision-making processes within major publishers. His statements suggest that EA’s reluctance isn’t necessarily rooted in a lack of faith in the Dragon Age IP itself, but rather in a broader strategic approach towards remasters. This perspective is particularly interesting considering the general trend on the market, where we can see many remakes and remasters, especially from IPs that are old.
Understanding EA’s Potential Concerns
Several factors could contribute to EA’s perceived hesitance towards Dragon Age remasters, particularly when compared to other publishers who readily embrace such projects. One primary concern is likely the Return on Investment (ROI). Remastering a trilogy of the scale and complexity of Dragon Age requires significant investment in development resources, including art, programming, and quality assurance.
Financial Considerations: The ROI Dilemma
EA, as a publicly traded company, is under constant pressure to deliver financial results and maximize shareholder value. The decision to invest in a remaster project must therefore be weighed against other potential ventures, such as developing entirely new IPs or expanding existing live service games. The key question becomes: would a Dragon Age trilogy remaster generate a sufficient return to justify the substantial upfront investment?
EA would probably have to spend a lot of money for art department, to improve the graphics of these games, so they meet today’s quality expectations. It is not only the graphics however, all the models from the game would probably have to be remade, so they work in modern resolutions, and players are not dissatisfied with the graphics on big monitors.
Resource Allocation: Prioritizing New Titles
Another potential concern is resource allocation. EA has a vast portfolio of established franchises, including FIFA, Madden NFL, Battlefield, and Apex Legends. These titles require ongoing support, updates, and new content development. Investing heavily in a Dragon Age remaster could potentially divert resources away from these core franchises, which generate consistent revenue streams. It is more efficient, from the business perspective to produce new titles, than to remastered the existing titles, even if it would satisfy many players.
Also we have to take in the account that, there is a new Dragon Age game coming out, therefore all the studio resources, will be targeted to develop new game and polish it as much as possible.
Brand Perception: Maintaining Legacy
EA may also be concerned about the potential impact of a remaster on the Dragon Age brand. A poorly executed remaster could tarnish the legacy of the original games and alienate long-time fans. This is a valid concern, as remasters are often scrutinized closely by fans who have deep emotional connections to the source material.
Imagine for example that game studio will cut some content, to make developing the remaster easier, so it fits in the deadline. The fans would probably hate this studio for this, because it will show that they did not care about them or the IP they were remastering.
The Dragon Age Fanbase: A Vocal Demand
Despite EA’s perceived reluctance, the demand for a Dragon Age trilogy remaster remains strong within the fanbase. Petitions, online discussions, and social media campaigns regularly call for a refreshed version of the beloved series. Fans argue that the games deserve to be experienced by a wider audience with modern visuals and improved gameplay mechanics.
Nostalgia and Accessibility: Reaching New Audiences
Many fans cite nostalgia as a primary motivator for wanting a remaster. The Dragon Age trilogy holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers who grew up playing the original titles. A remaster would allow them to relive those cherished memories with enhanced graphics and performance.
For newer players, a remaster would provide a more accessible entry point into the series. The original games, while still enjoyable, can feel dated compared to modern titles. A remaster could bridge the gap and introduce a new generation of gamers to the rich world and compelling characters of Dragon Age.
Addressing Technical Limitations: Fixing Old Issues
Beyond aesthetics, a remaster could also address technical limitations present in the original games. Bug fixes, performance improvements, and updated control schemes could enhance the overall gameplay experience and make the trilogy more enjoyable for both new and returning players. Also some players complain that this game series is hard to install on the modern PC, especially the first title of this series.
Community Expectations: Balancing Fan Desires
While the demand for a remaster is undeniable, developers must also manage community expectations carefully. A remaster should strive to enhance the original experience without fundamentally altering the core gameplay mechanics or story elements. This requires a delicate balance between modernization and preservation. Some players would like to see improvements to the AI as well, which are considered outdated in the first game of the series.
The Future of Dragon Age: What Lies Ahead?
While a Dragon Age trilogy remaster remains uncertain, the future of the franchise is far from bleak. BioWare is currently working on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, a new installment in the series that promises to deliver a next-generation RPG experience. The studio is hoping that this title will get many new players to this franchise, and satisfy old fans.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard: A New Chapter
Dragon Age: The Veilguard represents a significant departure for the series, with a focus on character-driven storytelling and a more streamlined gameplay experience. The game is set to introduce new characters, explore new regions of Thedas, and delve deeper into the lore of the Dragon Age universe.
The game will probably be built in the new engine and would look absolutely breathtaking, especially that now the developers have so many possibilities that they did not have when developing the first title of this series.
Potential Remaster Opportunities: A Glimmer of Hope
Despite EA’s historical stance, the possibility of a Dragon Age remaster shouldn’t be entirely ruled out. The success of other remastered trilogies, such as Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, could potentially influence EA’s decision-making process.
If Dragon Age: The Veilguard proves to be a commercial and critical success, EA may be more willing to invest in a remaster project to capitalize on the renewed interest in the franchise.
The Power of Fan Voice: Continued Advocacy
Ultimately, the future of a Dragon Age trilogy remaster may depend on the continued advocacy of the fanbase. By making their voices heard through online petitions, social media campaigns, and community discussions, fans can demonstrate the enduring demand for a refreshed version of the beloved series.
By continuing to demand remastered version of Dragon Age series, they might actually get it at some point. If fan base will show that they really want it and would buy it, they will get the product, this is how the market works, in general.
Conclusion: Awaiting the Call
The question of why we haven’t seen a Dragon Age trilogy remaster remains a complex one, with factors ranging from financial considerations to resource allocation and brand perception all playing a role. While Mark Darrah’s insights shed light on EA’s historical stance, the possibility of a remaster remains a glimmer of hope for dedicated fans. As the gaming industry continues to evolve and the Dragon Age franchise embarks on a new chapter with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the dream of revisiting Ferelden, Kirkwall, and Orlais with modern enhancements may one day become a reality. Until then, the fanbase will continue to voice its demand and await the call. The gaming community on the internet is full of discussions on this topic.