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Dragon Age loses lead writer to new BioWare game

"10 years is a long time to work on any one project."

Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider has moved onto "a new, upcoming BioWare project" and left Dragon Age behind.

A decade ago he led the creation of the world Dragon Age is set in, Thedas. He's been at the forefront of the writing on all three Dragon Age games since, penning novels and comics based in the fiction in between.

David Gaider, Dragon Age-ified, in his Twitter caricature.

"So a bit of news: I have decided leave Dragon Age and move onto a new, upcoming BioWare project (which I can't discuss)," he announced on Twitter.

"While it's hard to leave Dragon Age behind, 10 years is a long time to work on any one project. I decided it was time for something new.

"I am happy, however, to leave Dragon Age in good hands: Patrick Weekes will be lead writer once I'm gone. I can't think of anyone better."

What is the "new upcoming BioWare project" he's working on? Last year at E3, BioWare announced an all-new "contemporary" IP in development at the studio Gaider works at in Edmonton, Canada. The game is a "clean-sheet design" - a new fictional world "that feels real".

There's a strong chance that the game Gaider mentioned, and the game BioWare mentioned last summer, are one and the same thing. BioWare's short-lived new IP Shadow Realms was recently canned.

It's not yet clear whether Gaider will lead the writing team on the new game or join under someone else's command.

Cover image for YouTube videoMass Effect 4 + New IP! - Teaser Trailer E3 2014 - Eurogamer
Skip to the end for a look at BioWare's new IP.