Why Won’t EA Remaster Dragon Age? BioWare Veteran Reveals Repeated Rejections

The nostalgic pull of Dragon Age: Origins still tugs at fans 15 years after its release. Yet despite fervent player demand, Electronic Arts has repeatedly rejected pitches from BioWare to remaster the classic RPG trilogy, according to former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah. In a revealing interview with YouTuber MrMattyPlays, Darrah disclosed that EA blocked multiple efforts to modernize the beloved series, leaving fans questioning the publisher’s strategy.

Why Has EA Resisted Remastering the Dragon Age Series?

EA’s reluctance stems from a longstanding institutional stance against remasters, Darrah explained. While the publisher greenlit 2021’s acclaimed Mass Effect Legendary Edition, it consistently dismissed similar proposals for Dragon Age. “EA has historically been against remasters,” Darrah stated. “It’s strange for a publicly traded company to basically be against free money.” This resistance persisted even as BioWare explored creative approaches, including rebranding the first three games (Origins, Dragon Age II, and Inquisition) as the “Champions Trilogy” – spotlighting their iconic heroes.

Technical complexity also deterred EA. Unlike the Mass Effect trilogy, built on Unreal Engine, Dragon Age games used three distinct engines: Eclipse, Lycium, and Frostbite. Porting them would require significant resources. “Dragon Age is harder than Mass Effect to remaster,” Darrah noted. “To some degree, unknowably harder.” Early concepts for Dragon Age 4 (codenamed “Joplin”) even included outsourcing an Origins remake to a modding studio – a pitch EA also rejected.

Could a Dragon Age Remaster Still Happen?

Industry analysts highlight the financial upside EA overlooks. Remasters like Demon’s Souls (2020) and The Last of Us Part I (2022) generated massive revenue with lower development risks. BioWare’s own Mass Effect Legendary Edition sold over 2 million copies in its first two weeks (Electronic Arts Q1 2022 Earnings Report). Yet Darrah remains skeptical: “I don’t think [a remaster] will happen… but I think they should.”

Fans continue advocating for modern ports. A 2023 BioWare community survey ranked Dragon Age: Origins as the most-requested remaster. With Dragon Age: The Veilguard launching this October, players hope renewed interest could pressure EA. “Re-releasing the trilogy would rebuild goodwill,” argues RPG analyst Sarah Thompson (GameIndustry.biz, 2024). “It’s a bridge between old and new fans.”

EA’s refusal to revisit gaming classics like Dragon Age: Origins ignores both fan passion and proven market success. As Darrah’s revelations underscore, corporate hesitation risks alienating loyal audiences. If you crave a remastered Grey Warden saga, voice your demand on social media – publishers listen when players unite.

Must Know

Why is remastering Dragon Age harder than Mass Effect?
The trilogy used three different proprietary engines (Eclipse, Lycium, Frostbite), while Mass Effect ran on Unreal Engine 3 throughout. Retrofitting older engines demands extensive reprogramming, making costs unpredictable.

Did BioWare officially propose a Dragon Age remaster?
Yes. Darrah confirmed “multiple pitches” were submitted, including packaging Origins, DAII, and Inquisition as the “Champions Trilogy.” All were rejected by EA leadership.

What about the Dragon Age: Origins modding scene?
Community mods like “Dragon Age Redesigned” prove visual upgrades are possible. However, official remasters require full voice acting, UI modernization, and console compatibility – beyond modders’ scope.

Could Veilguard’s success change EA’s stance?
Possibly. Strong sales for The Veilguard (out October 2024) might demonstrate market demand, potentially reviving remaster discussions. BioWare has expressed interest if EA relents.

Which Dragon Age game is most likely to be remastered?
Origins remains the top candidate due to its legacy. However, Darrah advocates a full trilogy remaster to preserve narrative continuity and introduce new players to the full saga.