In a surprising revelation, former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah has shared that Dragon Age: Inquisition has sold over 12 million copies globally, exceeding internal expectations set by publisher Electronic Arts (EA). Despite some fan criticism of the game’s departure from the darker tone of the original Dragon Age: Origins, Inquisition stands as one of BioWare’s most commercially successful games to date.
When Dragon Age: Inquisition was released in 2014, it garnered praise for its expansive open world, intricate RPG systems, and solid gameplay mechanics. Critics, including IGN, awarded the game high marks, with IGN’s review giving it an impressive 8.8/10, calling it a return to the RPG roots that made the Dragon Age series popular. The game’s blend of action and strategy helped it capture Game of the Year honors in 2014.
However, Inquisition wasn’t without its detractors. Some fans of the original Dragon Age criticized the game’s shift towards a more stylized, action-oriented experience, and longed for the bloodier, darker tone of Origins. Despite this, the game managed to sell “massively” beyond EA’s internal sales projections. Mark Darrah took to social media to counter claims that Dragon Age: Inquisition was a commercial failure, stating:
“Yeah, I’m not sure where ‘DAI was a commercial failure’ came from… It’s over 12 million at this point. MASSIVELY oversold the internal EA projections… Oh yeah, and was GotY in 2014.”
This recent disclosure sheds light on the continued appeal of Dragon Age: Inquisition, even as fans debate the direction the franchise has taken. The discussion intensified ahead of the release of the next entry in the series, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which is set to launch soon. The Veilguard has received mixed responses from fans, with some questioning the game’s more stylized visuals and action-centric gameplay—elements that have been evolving since the release of Dragon Age 2 in 2011.
While Inquisition took the series in a new direction, it’s hard to argue with its commercial success. The title managed to balance the shift in tone with the delivery of an immersive fantasy world and strong character development, which helped it build a large player base over the years.
As fans await the next chapter in the Dragon Age saga, it’s clear that Inquisition remains a landmark moment in the franchise’s history, and Darrah’s comments reaffirm its legacy as one of BioWare’s most successful titles.
What’s Next for Dragon Age?
With Dragon Age: The Veilguard on the horizon, BioWare is poised to continue evolving the franchise. While the shift toward a more action-oriented experience may not appeal to everyone, the series’ growth is evident. As the debate continues, the franchise’s future remains bright, buoyed by the success of Inquisition.Fans can check out IGN’s exclusive hands-on preview of Dragon Age: The Veilguard for an in-depth look at what the next entry in the beloved franchise will offer.
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