Following the news of EA's closure of BioWare in October 2026, a surge of fan sentiment has emerged, with many speculating that Larian Studios, the developer behind the acclaimed Baldur's Gate 3, could be the ideal studio to take over the Dragon Age IP. This idea, which has circulated on fan forums since Baldur's Gate 3's success, gained renewed traction with the studio's closure. However, a closer examination of Larian's stated goals, the nature of licensed intellectual property, and the distinct design philosophies of both studios suggests this is an unlikely and perhaps undesirable outcome.
Larian's Creative Direction
Larian Studios has explicitly stated its intention to focus on its original intellectual properties following its extensive work on Baldur's Gate 3. In 2024, the studio announced plans to "seize this opportunity to develop our own IPs." This ambition has since materialized with the announcement of a new Divinity game at The Game Awards in December 2025, described as even larger than Baldur's Gate 3. Should Larian pursue the Dragon Age franchise, it would mean setting aside this major original project.
The Constraints of Licensed IP
Working with established franchises like Dragon Age inherently involves limitations. While Larian found making a Dungeons & Dragons game a "dream come true," the studio's leadership has indicated a preference for developing their own worlds. Larian CEO Swen Vincke has previously stated that the continuation of the Baldur's Gate series, for instance, rests with Wizards of the Coast, the IP holder. Taking on Dragon Age would place Larian back into a world with seventeen years of intricate lore, a passionate fanbase with strong expectations, and a complex legacy, including the turbulent development and mixed reception of its latest entry, The Veilguard. Some fans have suggested that former BioWare developers, potentially forming a new studio, might be better suited to carry the torch than burdening an external studio with such a heavy inheritance.
Divergent Design Philosophies
Larian's success with Baldur's Gate 3 is partly attributed to its distinctive style, evident in its humorous dialogue, environmental puzzle-solving, and, crucially, its turn-based combat. This contrasts sharply with the mainline Dragon Age series, which has historically employed real-time combat with pause (Dragon Age: Origins) or transitioned towards action RPG mechanics (The Veilguard). A significant portion of the Dragon Age fanbase has expressed a preference against a turn-based approach for the franchise. Entrusting Dragon Age to Larian would likely result in a game that feels distinctly like a Larian title, potentially alienating fans who prefer the series' established combat systems.
EA's Stance and the Future of Dragon Age
Electronic Arts currently holds the intellectual property rights to Dragon Age. According to former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, EA's priority is addressing its financial obligations, which may involve selling off assets that do not align with their strategic interests. Darrah has also noted that EA has not historically seen significant mainstream potential in the Dragon Age franchise, even declining pitches for remasters. While it's possible EA might consider selling the IP to Larian for a return, the studio has also shown a tendency to let dormant franchises remain so. This situation leaves the future of Dragon Age uncertain, with EA potentially shelving the series. The path forward for honoring BioWare's legacy and Larian's talent may lie in supporting former BioWare developers establishing new studios working on original RPGs, or by celebrating the existing masterpieces of both franchises rather than merging their futures.