Dragon Age actress Alix Wilton Regan has responded to the controversy surrounding last year's Dragon Age: The Veilguard, attributing the "mixed reception" to critics who "seemed determined to see the game fail" or wished misfortune upon BioWare.
The voice behind the Female Inquisitor in both Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Veilguard told IGN she was "heartbroken" that BioWare's latest title struggled commercially despite receiving generally favorable reviews from professional critics.
During an interview discussing her notable video game roles – including her involvement in Microsoft's Perfect Dark reboot – Wilton Regan expressed her deep affection for portraying BioWare's Inquisitor, though she doesn't anticipate revisiting the character.
"I'm genuinely devastated for BioWare as a studio that they faced such divisive reactions," Wilton Regan commented regarding The Veilguard's reception. "Personally, I considered it an excellent showcase of BioWare's signature strengths."
"There seemed to be a segment of players actively rooting for its failure – some simply being toxic internet commentators," she added, referencing unfortunate trends in online discourse.
At launch, The Veilguard became a target of review bombing. Criticism focused on progressive elements including non-binary companion characters and transgender player customization. Current Steam listings reflect "Mixed" user sentiment with tags like "LGBTQ+" and "politics."
"The attacks began before anyone had played the finished product," Wilton Regan observed. "It's absurd to judge creative work prejudicially. That stance lacks intellectual honesty."
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Publisher EA reported The Veilguard sold roughly 50% below projections in January, coinciding with director Corrine Busche's departure. Layoffs subsequently affected multiple BioWare team members.
The studio confirmed wrapping up development support shortly thereafter, with no additional content planned.
"I'll always champion BioWare's creative team," Wilton Regan stated. "Their future endeavors will undoubtedly showcase their exceptional talents. We're fortunate to have more brilliant work coming from them."
A streamlined BioWare is currently developing Mass Effect 5, though no release window has been announced.
