News - Dragon Age Remasters: Possible but Uncertain

The potential for remastering the beloved Dragon Age series has sparked debate among major industry figures. Trent Oster, a reputable BioWare veteran and head of Beamdog, has contended that bringing the original Dragon Age entries to modern systems is feasible. His confidence stems from his deep involvement in the creation of the foundational game engines that powered Dragon Age: Origins and its sequel. Oster's expertise gives weight to his assertion that remastering the series could be achieved, albeit with significant effort. "I've seen a fair bit of chatter about the impossibility of remastering Dragon Age," Oster says, "I like to think of myself as someone who talks a bit, but more often lets my work speak for me. In my opinion, it is possible, but in no means a trivial exercise. Yet, his optimism is tempered by skepticism from other industry insiders. Mark Darrah, who played pivotal roles in directing the first two Dragon Age games, is less hopeful. Despite recognizing the commercial potential of remasters, he cautions against expecting them, citing a dwindling institutional memory at BioWare regarding the original engines. Darrah reasons that this knowledge gap, combined with EA's current focus on maintaining numerous dormant IPs, reduces the chances of seeing a remake. "Basically no one at BioWare now knows how Dragon Age and its engine work anymore," Darrah elucidates, further noting EA's pattern of letting profitable yet inactive franchises remain on the shelf. The fate of other beloved series like Mirror's Edge, Titanfall, and SimCity hangs in similar balance, reinforcing a pattern of missed opportunities that does not bode well for Dragon Age fans. While the discussion reflects a nostalgic longing for remakes, the complexity of the task and EA's strategic priorities could keep fans waiting indefinitely. For now, Oster's belief in the potential for technical resurrection remains one of few beacons of hope, juxtaposed against a backdrop of corporate strategy and lost developer expertise. Still, the dream of rekindling Dragon Age endures, a glimmer of legacy amidst the cautionary tales of dormant franchises.