In a quarterly financial call, CEO Andrew Wilson indicated that the exclusion of live service components from Dragon Age: The Veilguard might have been a misstep. He stated, “The game had a high quality launch and was well-reviewed, yet it failed to connect with players who desire shared-world features.”

Wilson elaborated further, remarking that while classic storytelling has been a mainstay in bringing beloved IPs to players, the game’s financial outcome shows a shift in the industry’s landscape towards more interactive and engaging content.

CFO Stuart Canfield supported Wilson’s position, emphasizing the dominance of live services in EA’s business model, which accounted for a significant portion of the company’s revenue. With EA reportedly earning $7.347 billion in 2024, the need for engaging content that resonates with broader audiences has never been more pressing.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard aimed for a high-quality experience but fell short of financial expectations, suggesting developers may need to reconsider the balance between narrative and live service elements in upcoming titles.