There is a new Dragon Age game in the works, according to series creative director Mike Laidlaw. Unfortunately, that’s about all the details Laidlaw could confirm. He also mentioned there was work in progress for a Jade Empire 2 before it was cancelled.
This information comes from episode 98 of The 1099, a podcast hosted by Josiah Renaudin, and Laidlaw’s comments start at the 58:30 mark in the podcast. Laidlaw was discussing the history of BioWare and how the studio wanted to create its own fantasy story and setting. Unfortunately, the team was too thin to work on a second Jade Empire, because resources were being poured into Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
“We certainly had plans for a Jade Empire 2 that I’m loath to talk about,” said Laidlaw on the podcast. “It was talked about and certainly considered.”
Before you get out the pitchforks and torches, Laidlaw wants fans to know that BioWare didn’t kill Jade Empire in favor of Dragon Age. “Someone, somewhere, is going to write an angry thinkpiece saying ‘Dragon Age killed Jade Empire.’ Well, no,” he said. “A lot of the folks who still have really fond memories of Jade and know it in their bones are still actively engaged working on your Inquisitions, which again takes a hell of a lot of time.”
However, Laidlaw was sure to keep the dream alive for those who still want more Jade Empire. “In a universe where there can be a Beyond Good And Evil 2 14 years later, I think it’s very possible there still could be a Jade 2,” he said. “If someone said to me ‘hey, what would you do with Jade 2?’ I have an answer. I have a very clear answer in my head.”
So what about Dragon Age? The only news is that BioWare is hiring. “It’s no secret we’re doing something with Dragon Age,” said Laidlaw. “I can’t talk about what, but we’re certainly doing something.”
So what do you think? Would you rather see BioWare return to the world of Jade Empire instead of Dragon Age? Are you excited for this new project Laidlaw is teasing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
