BioWare’s latest game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, has broken some records for the studio and EA to become the best-selling single-player game for the company. But despite the success on day one, the game has quickly dropped back down in numbers. And the reason shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
The game’s “wokeness” and allegedly overt political messaging have been the main reasons why players have such a strong dislike for it. Especially considering what players have already experienced in previous titles in the series, this one has been a letdown to many.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Made a Splash, But The Waters Are Already Still Again
At launch Dragon Age: The Veilguard set new records for a single-player BioWare game on Steam, reaching over 70,000 concurrent players. By comparison, previous hits like Mass Effect Legendary Edition had peaked at 59,800 players.
These impressive numbers initially positioned Veilguard as a potential fan favorite and showed promise for EA’s renewed focus on Steam releases. After the first day though, player numbers have quickly dwindled on a downward trend instead of upward.
This quick rise and fall has brought to mind similar games like Anthem, which also debuted with impressive numbers before quickly losing player interest. This immediate downward trend is unexpected for large-scale single-player games. In comparison, Black Myth: Wukong only saw its numbers go up in its first month.
The problem for many in The Veilguard‘s handling of social themes, especially scenes that many players found overly preachy and out of place in a fantasy setting. In particular, one scene features a character apologizing with a set of push-ups for a misgendering incident, complete with a lecture on pronouns.
This kind of storytelling makes it feel more like a lecture on modern-day issues rather than an actual RPG story. I doubt any gamer picks up the controller and boots up a game to play out a 2024 university seminar on social messaging.
If You’re Expecting Classic Dragon Age, It’s Not What You’ll Get
We’ll just have to wait and see how it does long term. | Image Credit: BioWare
This is not the first time BioWare has tried to explore gender and identity in its games. Dragon Age. Inquisition introduced an in-universe character with gender identity themes using the term “Aqun-athlok”. According to the lore, Aqun-athlok is one who is “born as one gender but lives like another.”
It would’ve been much better if The Veilguard continued this idea to relay these kinds of social messages with in-universe reasonings and stories behind them. With the way it’s been done, fans have found it utterly lackluster. And understandably so.
Meanwhile, Veilguard’s visuals and gameplay features have been a bright spot for some players. The game has a combat system that blends action and tactics, as well as loot mechanics that fans have praised. BioWare’s return to its RPG roots is evident here, with detailed mission structures and a world that feels familiar.
These elements have been a redeeming factor for fans who prioritize gameplay mechanics over narrative. But for players who were drawn in by BioWare’s legacy of complex storytelling, these strengths may not be enough to make up for the lack of narrative depth.
News
Don’t Tell Dune: Prophecy Stars That Their Series is Game of Thrones Set in Space: ‘That is what sets us apart’
Lead actresses of ‘Dune: Prophecy’ said the focus on women is what makes the show different from George R.R. Martin’s work. Dune: Prophecy is gearing up for its premiere and already creating a lot of excitement among fans eager to see…
Dune: Prophecy star that previously said “it’s not like Star Wars” clarifies her comments about the upcoming prequel series: “Everything is relative”
Emily Watson talks the differences between Star Wars and the world of Dune (Image credit: HBO) Dune: Prophecy star Emily Watson is a Star Wars fan, but she doesn’t think the upcoming prequel series compares to George Lucas’s sci-fi franchise….
Dune: Prophecy Star Took Inspiration From Key Star Wars Character For “Badass” New Sci-Fi Role
Dune: Prophecy star Emily Watson claimed that she was inspired by a performance in Star Wars when she was thinking about her role in the upcoming show. The Dune spinoff show Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the life of Paul Atreides, and follows two Harkonnen…
“We miss him”: Kevin Costner’s Frustrating Feud With Taylor Sheridan is Not the Only Problem Yellowstone Cast Faced Along the Way
Luke Grimes discussed the emotional impact of continuing Yellowstone without Kevin Costner and what the future holds for the Dutton family. All good things must come to an end. It’s an age-old phrase, but when you’re standing at the crossroads…
Taylor Sheridan’s Ego Killed Yellowstone: John Dutton’s Fate Cements Why the Series Will Never Be Red-State ‘Succession’
Taylor Sheridan fails to live up to his reputation and Yellowstone falls from its pedestal as Kevin Costner leaves to finish his own failing Horizon saga For Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone Season 5B is a slap in the face. Despite his severe hatred…
You Wouldn’t Believe How Much Money Kevin Costner Lost Willingly by Quitting Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Series
Kevin Costner’s exit from Yellowstone Season 5 took fans by surprise, leaving behind a massive paycheck and the iconic role of John Dutton. Imagine having the world at your feet—money, fame, the kind of career most actors would only dream…
End of content
No more pages to load