Multiplayer Legacy Comes to an End
In an era where online multiplayer games can barely go a few weeks before shutting down, it’s staggering to think of a largely single-player experience sundowning its servers after 12 years. But such is the case for Dragon Age: Inquisition. Originally released in 2014, EA has announced the PS3 servers for the game will be shutting down on April 28th, ending its multiplayer features.
A Pioneering Multiplayer Experience
Inquisition was the third game in the mainline Dragon Age series but the first to introduce multiplayer features, opening up the solo series to co-operative campaigns with friends. This shift was significant, allowing players to experience the world of Thedas together, a departure from the series' previous focus on single-player narratives. The game was critically acclaimed and sold extremely well, remaining one of Bioware’s strongest works.
Challenges for Bioware
However, the same cannot be said of Bioware’s live-service exploits since then. Anthem, Bioware’s more ambitious open-world multiplayer game, failed to draw players away from Destiny or No Man’s Sky. A fumble, the 2019 game ended support only two years later, with its servers shutting down earlier this year. This failure highlights the risks involved in transitioning to live-service models.
Future of Dragon Age
The latest Dragon Age title, Veilguard, would have likely adopted a live-service approach had Anthem performed better. While kindly received by critics and selling well at launch, Veilguard’s long-term prospects fell short of EA’s expectations. Layoffs at Bioware followed shortly after, raising questions about the studio’s future direction.
A Nostalgic Farewell
Now that gaming is defined less by the quality of games and more by their longevity, it’s nostalgic to see off Inquisition on more graceful terms. Titles like Highguard couldn’t cut it for more than two months, while Concord was snuffed out after just two weeks, marking the biggest bomb in PlayStation history. In contrast, Dragon Age: Inquisition kept its online doors open for over a decade.
Reflecting on the Industry
The only tragedy here is how it illustrates the shortsightedness of the current industry, which often chases short-term thrills at the expense of long-term potential. EA hasn’t clarified if the decision to shut down the servers is a direct result of recent layoffs or the effects it’ll have on the Dragon Age Keep community portal. As fans bid farewell to this era, the focus shifts to what’s next for the beloved franchise.