John Epler, a veteran of BioWare with over 15 years of experience and creative director for the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard, has defended the studio’s past work while acknowledging missteps with their 2019 game, Anthem.
Despite Anthem’s shortcomings, Epler emphasizes BioWare’s core strength in storytelling and roleplaying, areas where the studio has historically excelled, particularly in games like Dragon Age and Mass Effect.
Epler reflects on the development of Anthem, admitting that while there were elements to be proud of, the game suffered because it strayed from BioWare’s expertise. The live-service format of Anthem was a significant departure from the narrative-driven RPGs that had defined the studio’s success.
Epler believes that the primary lesson learned from Anthem’s failure is the importance of focusing on what the studio does best, rather than spreading themselves too thin across unfamiliar territory.
The team working on The Veilguard, Epler explains, is composed of people who joined BioWare specifically to create single-player, story-driven RPGs. This aligns perfectly with the direction that The Veilguard has taken, as the team decided to return to the studio’s roots by developing a game that emphasizes narrative and roleplaying without the distraction of unnecessary features.
Epler’s comments highlight a broader industry trend where studios known for single-player experiences have faltered when attempting to create multiplayer, service-based games.
He draws parallels to other industry failures like Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Arkane Austin’s Redfall, which also suffered from trying to move away from their core competencies. These examples serve as cautionary tales of what can happen when studios deviate from their strengths.
In contrast, BioWare’s decision to return to its RPG roots with The Veilguard is seen as a positive step, not only for the game itself but also as a sign of good things to come for future projects like Mass Effect 5. Epler’s comments suggest a renewed focus on the qualities that originally made BioWare successful, which could help restore the studio’s reputation and appeal among its dedicated fanbase.
