Dragon Age Remaster Proposal Rejected by EA, Ex-Producer Reveals

Former executive producer of the vastly popular Dragon Age series, Mark Darrah, recently unveiled intriguing insights into behind-the-scenes pitches at Bioware. While addressing an audience on the YouTube channel MrMattyPlays, Darrah disclosed that Bioware had previously proposed a remake or remaster of the original Dragon Age: Origins, yet the bid for funding was declined by Electronic Arts (EA).

Dragon Age remaster proposal rejected by EA, ex-producer reveals

Challenges of Remastering Dragon Age

EA's decision seemingly rests on its broader corporate strategy against greenlighting remasters, a stance Darrah described as puzzling for a publicly traded company, which typically seeks capitalizing opportunities. The challenge of remastering the Dragon Age series arises from its development history. Unlike the Mass Effect series, which was created using the Unreal Engine, making outsourcing more feasible, Dragon Age: Origins and its sequel employed distinct engines prior to the adoption of Frostbite in Inquisition.

Bioware had contemplated employing Frostbite tools and partnering with a mod house to bring Origins into the modern era. The possibility of a remaster, in theory, would also encompass Dragon Age II, though a full-fledged remake would not.

Budgetary Constraints and Strategic Decisions

Darrah also touched on the intricate budgetary dynamics within studios like Bioware, where resources often need to be balanced among existing projects. The studio simply could not divert funds from other ongoing efforts to facilitate such an ambitious endeavor. Reflecting on the series' past, he mentioned the mixed reception of Dragon Age II, attributing part of its challenges at launch to insufficient player preparation for changes brought by the title.

Additionally, he pointed out that the team behind Veilguard encountered similar feedback, suggesting that more robust communication might have altered player reception positively.

Future Prospects

Despite the setback, Darrah remains optimistic about the potential that a Dragon Age remaster could hold. Bringing the original adventures into contemporary gaming would lay a strong foundation for its enduring legacy. This suggestion reflects his belief that reintroducing the first three installments to a modern audience should be a priority before venturing into further installments.

While speculations surrounding the future of both Dragon Age and Mass Effect continue to proliferate within the community and industry watchers alike, Darrah clarified that his perspectives do not extend beyond the realm of public information, leaving fans eager for more insights into upcoming developments.

Update: 22 Aug 2025