EA sadly announced that BioWare general manager Casey Hudson and Mark Darrah, the executive producer behind Dragon Age, are leaving BioWare. EA’s chief studio officer, Laura Miele, will step in to ‘oversee the studio’ in Casey Hudson’s absence and while BioWare Austin’s studio director Christian Dailey will oversee the current Dragon Age project.
“I want to personally thank Casey and Mark for everything they have done for the BioWare community, and particularly for our players. They will always be an essential part of the studio’s history, we appreciate their many contributions, and we look forward to seeing what they’ll each do next.”
The news not only is sad but is troubling. Just over a month ago, Casey Hudson announced they’re working on a Mass Effect remaster and there is another Mass Effect game in development as well. Furthermore, pulling Christian Dailey to oversee Dragon Age means he’s no longer working on Anthem Next which is a major project with the goal of fixing Anthem so it doesn’t, well, suck.
Casey Hudson said the decision was his own, but not an easy one. “I will miss being able to work every day with our inspiring developers on the biggest and most exciting projects I can imagine,” he wrote. “But I also know that this is a good time for a change, for both myself and BioWare.”
Mark Darrah also expressed his sadness in a statement saying, “This has been a very difficult decision for me. The team of amazing developers on Dragon Age, make my life fuller and better. They have taught me so much. But the strength of the team is also what makes this possible. I know that Dragon Age won’t just survive without me, it will thrive.”
Darrah and Hudson’s departures were announced around the same time former Dragon Age creative director Mike Laidlaw announced Yellow Brick Games, a new studio he co-founded. Perhaps it’s all just a coincidence? We’ll see.
