Former BioWare developers have criticized EA's assessment of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's underperformance and subsequent restructuring of BioWare. EA CEO Andrew Wilson attributed the game's failure to a lack of broad appeal, specifically citing a need for "shared-world features and deeper engagement" alongside strong narratives. This suggests EA believes incorporating multiplayer elements would have broadened the game's reach.

However, this interpretation is challenged by former BioWare staff. David Gaider, former narrative lead on Dragon Age, argues that EA's focus on live-service elements as the solution is short-sighted and self-serving. He suggests EA should instead emulate Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3, a predominantly single-player RPG with optional multiplayer, by doubling down on what made Dragon Age successful in the past.

Mike Laidlaw, another former Dragon Age creative director, expressed strong disagreement with the idea of fundamentally altering a beloved single-player IP into a purely multiplayer experience, stating he would likely resign if faced with such a demand. He implies that EA's decision reflects a misunderstanding of the core appeal of the Dragon Age franchise.

The restructuring of BioWare, resulting in significant layoffs and a focus solely on Mass Effect 5, effectively signals the apparent demise of the Dragon Age franchise at least for the foreseeable future. EA's CFO, Stuart Canfield, framed the decision as a reallocation of resources towards projects with higher potential, highlighting the evolving industry landscape and the changing demands of players. The situation underscores a potential disconnect between EA's strategic vision and the creative vision of the developers who built the Dragon Age franchise.