It has been what you could charitably call a turbulent day over atBioWare, the Canadian video game developer responsible for titles likeMass Effect,Dragon Age, andAnthem. EA announced that general managerCasey HudsonandDragon Age 4executive producerMark Darrahwill depart the company. According to EA, all ongoing projects—includingDragon Age 4, along withAnthem Nextand theMass Effect: The Legendary Editionremasters—will continue as planned.
Here’s what EA Chief Studios OfficerLaura Mielesaid in a statement:
“We strive for all of our studios to be places where talented creative people come to do career-defining work. A dimension of this ambition is that sometimes those people want to try something different. Casey Hudson, GM, BioWare and Mark Darrah, Executive Producer, Dragon Age are two of those people and they have decided to move on from BioWare. I want to personally thank Casey and Mark for everything they have done for the BioWare community, and particularly for our players. They will always be an essential part of the studio’s history, we appreciate their many contributions, and we look forward to seeing what they’ll each do next.”
In hisown statement, Hudson only chalked his departure up to “the realization that I still have tremendous energy to create, but also that I need to try something different.”
Darrahadded:
“This has been a very difficult decision for me. The team of amazing developers on Dragon Age, make my life fuller and better. They have taught me so much. But the strength of the team is also what makes this possible. I know that Dragon Age won’t just survive without me, it will thrive.
BioWare has always been about telling emotional stories through characters. We have wandered away from this central guiding pillar at times, but I am confident that the next Dragon Age will show that we remain committed to this kind of game. We will have a lot to show you.”
It does appear that things are full-steam ahead onDragon Age 4, at least, with a new look at the game being teased at next week’s Game Awards.
You can check out that tease of a tease forDragon Age 4below. For more on BioWare,here’s the lateston that surprise new Mass Effect game that’s currently in the works.
