Not every new IP manages to find its footing in the competitive market of video game releases. Sometimes they flounder like PlayStation 5 launch exclusiveGodfall, and sometimes they take off like the expansive adventureHorizon Zero Dawnand its sequel. One game that falls into the prior category was BioWare and Electronic Arts' online multiplayer effortAnthem. The action-RPG allowed players to take control of and customize exosuits called Javelins in a contiguous open world that was shared with up to three other players.Anthemseemed like a promising new IP, but when it launched it was met with criticism over its lack of content and simplistic gameplay.
Despite receiving a second chance,Anthem’s extensive overhaul was eventually canceled, its lifespan was significantly cut short. Thecancelation ofAnthem 2.0didn’t just affect its own prospects, but could also have far-reaching impacts on many BioWare games in its long-runningMass EffectandDragon Ageseries. With new installments for both of these beloved franchises on the horizon, it will be interesting to see the direct result ofAnthem’s demise onMass Effect 4andDragon Age 4,as well as future BioWare titles.
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Anthem: An Exercise In Dashed Hopes
Anthemhad all the right elements to be a success. A prestigious and respected developer, a powerhouse publisher in EA, and a solid premise with its highly customizable exosuits and dynamic-looking gameplay. Unfortunately,Anthembecame yet another game that failed to live up to its own pre-launch hype, and it soon crumbled under the weight of fan expectations.Anthem’s incredibly tight turnaroundcould be one contributing factor of its poor performance, as it didn’t leave enough time for BioWare to infuse the world of Coda with the level of depth fans had come to expect from the developer.
Players were excited to jet around in their suits and explore colorful environments packed with alien plant life, mysterious relics, and monstrous creatures. Yet there justwasn’t enough inAnthemto keep them occupied, and the impressive graphics didn’t make up for the lack of cohesive content. For an online multiplayer game, creating a sense of community is key. If a single-player game doesn’t have a large playerbase, that doesn’t affect an individual gamer’s experience. But if a multiplayer title lacks other players, this represents a crucial failing and damages its playability.
Giving BioWare Games a Second Chance
BioWare wasn’t quite ready to give up onAnthem, and declared its intention of ending seasonal content in 2020 in order to focus on a complete rework. With a particular focus on improving the gameplay loop, adding meaningful progression, and looking at what new challenges could be introduced, players who stuck withAnthemwere excited about the game’s second chance. But this didn’t last long, asAnthem 2.0was officially canceledin 2021, leading to questions about how long servers would remain active.
This isn’t the first time a BioWare game had a disappointing reception. In recent years, the anticipated follow-up to theMass Effecttrilogy,Mass Effect: Andromeda, was plagued by bugsand graphical issues, and received critiques over its narrative focus and characterizations. For a while, it seemed like the latest installment was going to mark the end of the much-lovedMass Effectseries, but BioWare is currently developing another entry tentatively titledMass Effect 4. While the developer was happy enough to giveMass Effecta second chance, its willingness to pull the plug when things aren’t looking good could affect the series going forward.
Another possible lasting impact ofAnthem’s cancelation could be BioWare’s interest in exploring new IPs in favor of continuing more successful and established series. Time and again, developers avoid original properties in order to minimize the risk of trying something new that potentially alienates fans. One of the reasons given forAnthem2.0’s cancelation was the need for BioWare’s talent to focus on theupcomingMass EffectandDragon Ageinstallments. While this could have just been an excuse, it seems to indicate an intention of keeping these two franchises front and center over the coming years.
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The Future of BioWare’s Other Franchises
While the impact ofAnthem’s failure will no doubt cause ripples at BioWare that will be felt for years to come, it has already had some real consequences.Dragon Age 4has already had a tumultuous development, with a shift to focus on live-service elements causing several BioWare employees to leave the project. This signaled a huge departure for the series, which has previously followed a single-player narrative focus. However, afterAnthemflopped, BioWare was quick to announce another massive shift in direction andreturnDragon Age 4to a story-focused single-player game.
BioWare is undoubtedly more cautious of its damaged reputationafter theAnthemdebacle, and it will be sure to think twice before trying to rush a game through another short development cycle. BothMass Effect 4andDragon Age 4appear to be taking their time, and both games seem at least over a year away. BioWare has been burned, and this may mean its future titles will enjoy the proper amount of development time they deserve.
However, it’s an undisputed fact that some live-service games likeFortnite, Apex Legends,andDestiny 2continue to be immensely popular. With this in mind, BioWare might not be done with the model of a multiplayer game that has continual updates and content releases. Next time it may choose to pursue this type of format within the safety of an established franchise rather than the riskier option of launching a new IP. BioWare may have abandoned this approach recently withDragon Age 4, but that doesn’t mean it won’t return to it down the road.
It’s clearAnthem’s cancelation caused a shake-up at the studio. It completely changed the format ofDragon Age 4and forced BioWare into recovery mode regarding its reputation. Some consequences of this cancelation may not be felt for a few years, but it’s obvious BioWare’s future releases will be impacted byAnthem’s fate.
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