In a recent interview, former BioWare producer Mark Darrah discussed the challenges facing a potential remaster of the original Dragon Age trilogy. He highlighted that the remaster is unlikely due to the lack of knowledge about the Aurora Engine among current BioWare employees. This situation stems from significant staff turnover at the company, which has resulted in a loss of in-house expertise regarding the older technology used in the original games. Darrah noted that while a remaster was proposed during his tenure, the complexities of the engine made it a daunting task.
Unlike the Mass Effect series, which successfully received a remastered trilogy in 2021 using the Unreal Engine, the Dragon Age games were built on various proprietary engines, including the Eclipse Engine for Origins and the Lycium Engine for Dragon Age 2. The latest installment, Dragon Age: Inquisition, utilized the Frostbite engine, which is more modern and easier to work with. However, the earlier games present unique challenges that would require a dedicated team to address.
Darrah expressed skepticism about the possibility of forming a new team within BioWare, given EA's corporate structure and its tendency to limit employee retention. He emphasized that creating a remaster would necessitate significant investment in time and resources, which EA may be reluctant to commit. Despite these challenges, Darrah believes that a remastered trilogy would likely be well-received by fans and could generate substantial sales.
The situation illustrates the broader issue of proprietary engines in the gaming industry, where the departure of key staff can lead to a loss of critical knowledge. This can hinder future projects and remasters, as seen in the case of Dragon Age. The potential remaster remains a topic of interest among fans, but the practicalities of development pose significant hurdles for BioWare and EA.
