Dragon Age’s creative director Mike Laidlaw leaves Bioware after 14 years

Dragon Age’s creative director Mike Laidlaw leaves Bioware after 14 years
Chris Hallam Updated on by

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BioWare’s Mike Laidlaw, the designer and creative director known for his work on Mass Effect, Jade Empire and the Dragon Age series, has announced that he’s leaving after 14 years with the studio. 

In a statement that’s been posted on Twitter, Laidlaw said, ‘It’s with a mix of emotions that I’m announcing my time with BioWare has ended,’ and continued saying that, ‘After 14 years and a chance to work on Jade Empire, Mass Effect and all things Dragon Age it’s time for me to move on.’

‘In my time at BioWare I have been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented and hardworking people in the industry,’ Laidlaw said. ‘It’s been an honor to be a part of the Dragon Age team, and I have every confidence that the world we’ve created together is in good hands and I’m excited for the road ahead.’

Laidlaw didn’t go into details regarding the reasons for his departure, and said that in the meantime he plans to spend some time ‘reconnecting with all the amazing games and worlds that my peers have created.’ He’ll probably be taking a well-earned break before moving onto his next endeavour.

Mike Laidlaw joined BioWare in 2003, and was the lead story developer and designer for the action role-playing game Jade Empire. He also worked on the Mass Effect series, but his legacy at the studio is firmly tied to the Dragon Age franchise, for which he was originally the lead designer before becoming the senior creative director.

While the departure of Laidlaw will be a shock to fans of the fantasy RPG, it doesn’t seem that this will affect the series going forward.Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah seemed to confirm as much in a tweeted response to Laidlaw’s statement.