The possibility of a Dragon Age collection, similar to BioWare’s 2021 Mass Effect Legendary Collection, presents notable challenges, according to a recent interview with BioWare’s Director of Product Development. With experience at BioWare dating back to the original Dragon Age: Origins in 2009, Epler expressed enthusiasm for the idea, while acknowledging the difficulties due to the series’ engine diversity.
Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II were developed using BioWare’s custom Eclipse Engine, while the third game, Dragon Age: Inquisition, was built using Frostbite, EA’s proprietary engine, initially designed for the Battlefield series. This contrast creates a significant technical hurdle for a remaster. In the interview, Epler noted, “I think I’m one of about maybe 20 people left at BioWare who’s actually used Eclipse,” emphasizing the uniqueness of each title’s engine.
In contrast, the Mass Effect trilogy, which was successfully updated for modern platforms, used the more adaptable Unreal Engine, a popular choice across game development. This consistency in technology across the trilogy simplified the remastering process for the Mass Effect Legendary Collection. The flexibility of Unreal Engine provided a straightforward path to polish the original games, whereas a Dragon Age remaster would involve navigating distinct technical frameworks and engine-specific challenges.
Despite the complexities, Epler remains hopeful. “Never say never, I guess that’s what it comes down to,” he remarked, hinting that while a Dragon Age collection may be difficult, BioWare’s dedication to the franchise keeps the possibility alive. For now, however, the studio remains focused on future projects in the Dragon Age universe, as they consider the best ways to bring the series’ legacy to modern audiences.
