Mass Effect May Hold More Acquisition Value Than Dragon Age
Following BioWare’s shutdown after more than three decades of influential game development, attention has shifted to the future of the worlds and franchises the studio created. One major question is whether another company might acquire or invest in Dragon Age or Mass Effect.
Why Mass Effect May Be the More Valuable Franchise
Shortly before BioWare’s closure, veteran developer and longtime producer Mark Darrah addressed that possibility in an interview. He argued that Mass Effect would likely be more valuable as an intellectual property because its setting is more distinctive, even without the original development team.
“I would say Mass Effect as an IP, without the people attached to it, is more valuable than Dragon Age,” Darrah said. While Dragon Age also contains extensive worldbuilding, he noted that its fantasy setting shares recognizable qualities with franchises such as The Lord of the Rings, Baldur’s Gate, and The Witcher.
According to Darrah, those similarities could make it more appealing for a developer to create an entirely new fantasy universe rather than pay to acquire the Dragon Age name and setting.
The Cost of Acquiring Dragon Age
Darrah explained that any potential buyer would need to compare the cost of acquiring Dragon Age with the number of additional sales the established name could generate.
Using Larian Studios, the developer behind Baldur’s Gate 3 and the Divinity series, as an example, Darrah said the company would need to determine whether a new Dragon Age title would sell substantially more copies than an original fantasy RPG designed as a spiritual successor.
He illustrated the alternative with a hypothetical project called “Wyvern Era”—essentially a Dragon Age-style game without the official branding. For many companies, he suggested, developing an original game inspired by Dragon Age would make more financial sense than purchasing the franchise itself.
An Established Audience Is Not Guaranteed
Darrah acknowledged that the Dragon Age IP still offers significant advantages, including a loyal fan base, a long-standing legacy, and an existing audience. However, he cautioned that those players would not automatically support a new installment developed by an unrelated team.
He argued that someone with an established connection to the series, such as former lead writer David Gaider, might be better positioned to retain the audience’s trust. Without that history, a new developer could not assume that existing fans would immediately embrace another Dragon Age game.
Dragon Age and the Baldur’s Gate 3 Opportunity
A former Dragon Age lead has also suggested that the franchise could have experienced a breakthrough comparable to Baldur’s Gate 3. Instead, BioWare pursued RPG designs described as simpler and more accessible.