BioWare, the creative force behind giant franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, has left an indelible mark on the industry. While these series have captivated gamers with their narrative prowess and memorable characters, Aaryn Flynn, former BioWare General Manager, believes BioWare may have veered toward homogeneity. Flynn noted that Dragon Age has straddled its roots and the cinematic aspirations of Mass Effect while sharing insights in the EDGE magazine November issue #389 about his 17-year stint at the company.
We got a little too homogenous between Mass Effect and Dragon Age," Flynn observed. He believed Dragon Age should have remained true to its PC modding roots and its inspiration from Neverwinter Nights.
Flynn also fondly recalled how many BioWare developers began their careers by modding Dungeons & Dragons RPGs, perhaps shedding light on their rapport for Neverwinter Nights. While the first Dragon Age drew significant inspiration from Neverwinter Nights, subsequent installments began to deviate from this origin. Dragon Age 2 adopted a more action-oriented style, while Dragon Age: Inquisition incorporated both action elements and MMO-style quests.
Mass Effect: Andromeda, celebrated for its cinematic storytelling, according to Flynn, could have benefited from a more focused, multiplayer-oriented approach, unlike the sprawling "include-everything" approach. This shift marked a decline for the franchise, evident when BioWare canceled Andromeda's planned DLCs to prioritize Anthem - a move that ultimately led to Anthem's underwhelming performance.