The Rise and Fall of Anthem: A Look at its Development

In a recent video posted by former Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah, the development of EA's mech RPG shoot-em-up, Anthem, was laid bare. The game, which was one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2019, has been met with widespread criticism and disappointment from fans and critics alike.

Early Development

According to Darrah, Anthem's development began several years before its eventual release in 2019. At that time, BioWare was still riding high on the success of Mass Effect and Dragon Age, two of the most beloved RPG franchises in gaming.

As for Anthem, it was initially conceived as a more action-oriented take on the RPG genre, with a focus on exploration, character progression, and intense combat sequences. The game's development team, which included Darrah, set out to create an open-world experience that would allow players to explore a vast, shared environment, complete with its own economy and narrative.

Melee vs. Range

One of the key decisions made during Anthem's development was the choice between melee combat and ranged attacks. According to Darrah, the team initially settled on a more traditional RPG approach, where players would engage in close-quarters battles using swords, shields, and other melee weapons.

However, as development progressed, it became clear that this approach would not be feasible for the game's intended genre: mech-based shooters. To adapt, the team shifted its focus to ranged combat, incorporating machine guns, rockets, and other explosive ordnance into the game's arsenal.

Shared World and Player Agency

Another key aspect of Anthem was its shared world design. According to Darrah, the team envisioned a vast, open environment that would be home to thousands of players, all working together (or against each other) in a dynamic, sandbox-style setting.

At its core, this concept drew inspiration from popular games like Eve Online and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). The idea was to create an immersive experience where players could explore the world, complete quests, craft equipment, and engage in combat with one another – all within a seamless, shared environment.

Challenges and Setbacks

Despite its ambitious goals, Anthem faced numerous challenges during development. According to Darrah, the game's engine proved difficult to work with, requiring significant amounts of time and resources to optimize for performance.

Additionally, the team encountered issues with gameplay balance, difficulty spikes, and narrative coherence – all of which contributed to a sense of disjointedness and frustration among players.

Launch Day and Post-Launch Developments

Anthem launched in February 2019, to largely negative reviews from critics and fans. The game's lackluster reception was attributed to a variety of factors, including its buggy gameplay, confusing controls, and narrative that failed to live up to the standards set by BioWare's other titles.

In the months following launch, EA acknowledged the game's shortcomings and made efforts to address them through patches and updates. However, these fixes did little to restore player faith in the franchise.

The Fallout

In July 2019, EA announced that it would be reorganizing its BioWare division, with veteran developer Casey Hudson taking over as the new leader of the team. This move was seen by many as a tacit admission of Anthem's failure and a willingness to reboot the franchise from scratch.

Today, Anthem remains a cautionary tale in the world of game development. While it is clear that the game had its ambitions, it ultimately failed to deliver on those promises – a fate shared by many ambitious projects throughout history.

Lessons Learned

The story of Anthem serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in developing large-scale, open-world experiences. As Darrah himself notes, "the biggest challenge is not just creating a great game, but also creating an experience that players want to come back to again and again."

From this perspective, Anthem can be seen as both a failure and a valuable learning experience for BioWare and the broader gaming industry. The team's willingness to adapt to changing circumstances, their commitment to addressing player concerns, and their efforts to rebuild from scratch all represent positive steps forward.

In conclusion, the story of Anthem is one of innovation, creativity, and perseverance in the face of adversity. While its ultimate failure serves as a reminder that even the best-laid plans can go awry, it also offers valuable lessons for game developers looking to create their own epic experiences.