BioWare Developer Explains Why Anthem Failed
Anthem, one of the most controversial games in the gaming world, is making a comeback after years. Long-standing statements from former BioWare producer Mark Darrah offer important clues about the project’s demise. Behind this failure, which still has players talking, lies a much more complex story than previously thought.
Anthem Began with BioWare’s Identity Crisis
BioWare’s once-promising project, Anthem, was born with a seemingly compelling idea. Launched by former Mass Effect director Casey Hudson under the codename “Dylan,” the project was presented to EA executives as a brand new vision for BioWare. The goal was to achieve a FIFA-like revenue model with a live-service-focused, always-online game. However, many of the ideas contained in this bold presentation were not reflected in the final product.
According to Mark Darrah, one of the biggest problems was the attempt to force this vision on everyone at the studio. Professional videos promoting the project conveyed the message that BioWare “had to change.” This approach led to confusion and demoralization among the teams working on traditional RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. The result was neither a game that embodied BioWare’s classic narrative structure nor a modern live service success.
Numerous technical and organizational challenges arose throughout the game’s development process. EA’s Frostbite engine was unsuitable for Anthem. Development continued with a lack of vision, and Casey Hudson left the project, leaving an unfilled void. Anthem’s core promise of a “revolution in storytelling” never really materialized.
According to Darrah, the other turning point that sealed Anthem’s fate was EA’s refusal to postpone the project. The studio’s proposal at the time was to complete Dragon Age 4 first and then focus on Anthem. However, this proposal was rejected, and Anthem was released before it was fully developed. Neither Anthem nor Dragon Age 4 survived the process.
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