Long-time BioWare executive Mark Darrah stands up for the development of Anthem

Anthem screenshot showing players looking up at a fireball in the sky — Image credit: EA

Veteran BioWare developer Mark Darrah, who spent 24 years with the company, has spoken in support of BioWare's decision to enter the multiplayer gaming market with the title Anthem.

During a conversation with Destin Legarie, Darrah, who served as executive producer, addressed critiques about Anthem's discontinuation. The feedback suggested that BioWare should have remained focused on the single-player RPGs it was known for instead of venturing into new territory with Anthem. Darrah asserted that BioWare has always been dynamic and willing to explore new directions as a developer.

Darrah stepped away from BioWare in 2021 along with Casey Hudson, who was the general manager.

Darrah commented, "By that reasoning, we shouldn't have created Neverwinter Nights, as we were recognized for making 2D RPGs."

"Similarly, we shouldn't have developed Mass Effect, because our expertise was in tactical, not action RPGs. Thus, I find it hard to agree with that viewpoint. Development studios evolve and take on new challenges. Was Anthem too ambitious? Definitely, but was it predictable at the time? It's uncertain."

He also mentioned the criticism that parent company Electronic Arts received about Anthem, noting, "While EA is certainly partly responsible for Anthem's issues, they are not entirely to blame."

Darrah's perspectives align with those expressed earlier by John Warner, the game's director. In a 2018 GamesIndustry.biz interview, ahead of Anthem's 2019 release, Warner claimed that Anthem was in line with BioWare's ongoing game evolution, rather than a drastic change.

"If you consider BioWare games along a spectrum—ranging from Baldur's Gate to Neverwinter, then Jade Empire, Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age—it's clear that our focus has always been on enhancing our storytelling and gameplay methods. In this light, Anthem represents a continuation of our craft’s evolution," he explained.

"I believe players will find an engaging world filled with rich characters. As players become the hero of their own story, they will experience the essence of what a BioWare game offers."

Anthem, which debuted in February 2019, received a mixed critical response and did not meet its sales objectives. A year post-launch, BioWare planned to overhaul the game's core mechanics and later formed a team to explore a revamped version of the RPG. However, work on Anthem ceased in February 2021.

In July 2025, EA revealed plans to terminate Anthem’s online services by January 2026.