Former 'Dragon Age' Lead Writer David Gaider Leaves Bioware After 17 Years

David Gaider, formerly lead writer for the Dragon Age series in addition to other Bioware RPGs, has announced his departure from Bioware after 17 years. On Twitter, Gaider posted:

In an email to Polygon , he wrote the decision to leave came from himself and not from Bioware.

"It was indeed my decision, one not made easily since BioWare's been very good to me, and the parting is amicable," Gaider stated. "It's simply time to move onto a new challenge. As to where I'm headed next, that announcement will come in due time — today's about saying goodbye and packing up.”

Gaider’s career with Bioware stretches back to 1999, when he worked on Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn . He wrote for HK-47 in Knights of the Old Republic and then served in a larger role as lead writer for Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark . His work on the Dragon Age games involved designing and establishing voices for many characters, including Dorian, Alistair and Morrigan. He wrote a slew of supplementary material for the Dragon Age series as well, such as companion comic book series Dragon Age: The Silent Grove , Dragon Age: Those Who Speak and Dragon Age: Until We Sleep . His lore-expanding work in novels like Dragon Age: Asunder , Dragon Age: The Calling and Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne provided backstory for important events and characters throughout the games.

BioWare Canada’s general manager Aaryn Flynn released a statement on Gaider’s exit:

It’s been less than a year since Gaider announced his departure from the Dragon Age series to work on an unannounced Bioware project. Currently the Dragon Age team is headed by Patrick Weekes. Veteran writer Drew Karpyshyn , the lead writer for the Mass Effect series recently rejoined Bioware after some time away to work on Star Wars: The Old Republic.