Former BioWare developers have criticized EA's assessment of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's underperformance and the 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 boosted sales.

However, this perspective clashes with the game's development history. As previously reported by IGN, The Veilguard underwent a significant development reboot, shifting from a planned multiplayer game to a single-player RPG after EA's initial mandate for live-service elements was reversed. This led to internal concerns among BioWare staff, who reportedly considered its completion a remarkable achievement given the tumultuous development process.

Prominent former BioWare employees have voiced their opinions on social media. David Gaider, former narrative lead on Dragon Age, criticized EA's conclusion that the game's failure stemmed from a lack of live-service elements, deeming it short-sighted. He advocated for EA to emulate Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3, which, while featuring co-op, remains primarily a single-player experience, emphasizing a return to Dragon Age's core strengths.

Mike Laidlaw, another former Dragon Age creative director, expressed strong disagreement with the notion of fundamentally altering a successful single-player IP into a purely multiplayer game, stating he would likely resign if faced with such a demand.

The restructuring of BioWare, involving significant layoffs and a focus solely on Mass Effect 5, effectively signals the end 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 changing industry landscape. The financial underperformance of The Veilguard underscored the need for this strategic shift, according to EA.