Games
RPG
Dragon Age
Dragon Age: Inquisition

The man behind fan-favorite Dragon Age and KOTOR characters leaves BioWare

By Sam Prell published 22 January 2016

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

BioWare is a studio known for its well-written and memorable characters. What would Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic be without sidekicks like HK-47 and Jolee Bindo? Dragon Age: Inquisition without allies like Iron Bull and Dorian? It's a legacy and a challenge for someone new to tackle, because David Gaider, the man behind such fan favorite characters, has left BioWare.

Some news: I must sadly announce that, after 17 years, today is my last day at BioWare. I'll miss my team, and wish everyone here the best.January 22, 2016

Gaider reports to Polygon that the decision was his own, and called the parting "amicable." He has not yet revealed what his next adventure will be. Historically, Gaider has worked in the fantasy genre, contributing to Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and crafting the world of Dragon Age. Most recently, he served as lead writer for 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition, which featured the first "fully gay" character Gaider had ever crafted - an experience he detailed on the official Dragon Age website.

Good luck on your travels, Gaider. I look forward to meeting the next character I'll ceaselessly quote.

CATEGORIES

Sam Prell

Social Links Navigation

Sam is a former News Editor here at GamesRadar. His expert words have appeared on many of the web's well-known gaming sites, including Joystiq, Penny Arcade, Destructoid, and G4 Media, among others. Sam has a serious soft spot for MOBAs, MMOs, and emo music. Forever a farm boy, forever a '90s kid.

After their Black Panther game got killed, 14 EA devs are fleeing to D&D house Wizards of the Coast to "incubate a new game" under Monolith vet and Shadow of Mordor boss

Former Dragon Age director says it's "hard to imagine" BioWare pivoting from "very progressive messaging to having the reverse" following EA's $55 billion buyout, and public perception not being "apocalyptically bad" if it did

A close up of one of the best star wars games, Star Wars Jedi Survivor

God of War 3 and Star Wars Jedi director is making a D&D game because his new studio wanted to "sink our teeth into something that's legendary, that's mythical"

Key art for Diablo 4, Season 4 - Loot Reborn.

Former Gears of War boss becomes former Diablo boss as Rod Fergusson leaves Microsoft a third time, "sword in hand," after 5 years overseeing the ARPG series: "I'm proud of what we've built"

New sci-fi RPG from ex Mass Effect devs shares "some DNA" with BioWare's beloved series, but also Sony's Horizon and Nintendo's Metroid

Mass Effect 5 devs should use Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a "scapegoat" so they can "get what they need" from EA, says former BioWare exec

Latest in Dragon Age

A cropped screenshot of characters attacking a dragon in Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition.

"EA has a huge repository of dormant IPs that are just sitting there" after $55 billion buyout, says former Dragon Age and Anthem producer, so it could make better "financial sense" to sell studios instead of shutting them down

EA goes $20 billion in debt as part of its $55 billion buyout, and the BioWare fans who've already waited 8 years for Mass Effect 5 are terrified of how the company might cut costs

Cropped screenshot from Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition.

Dragon Age: Origins was "intended as a standalone game" rather than the first in a series of RPGs, former dev says, meaning BioWare left "a lot of threads" it wasn't expecting to "come back to"

Enraged Dragon Age fans are punishing EA for rejecting BioWare's remaster pitch by covering pixel art map Wplace in adorable threats

BioWare considered paying a team to "do a remake" of Dragon Age: Origins, former executive producer reveals, and "there were lots of pitches" around upgrading the old RPG

Latest in News

Seemingly determined to make Xbox less appealing and affordable in every way, Microsoft reportedly raises the price of dev kits to $2,000

Tired of making "many, many Battlefield titles," former DICE devs started innovating with upcoming extraction shooter Arc Raiders and help from the past: PS2 classic Shadow of the Colossus

As the Steam Next Fest wraps up, Valve shares some of the seasonal event's most-played demos – and they range from chaotically comedic co-op games to brutal Braveheart-inspired roguelikes

desktop defender screenshot showing particles exploding on a mini screen

"1 week ago we had 3 players": Steam notifies surprised dev their demo was one of the most-played during Steam Next Fest

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Gustave in a French-inspired outfit

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead says "it would be harder to embrace our Frenchness even more" unless Sandfall "put snails and frogs everywhere in the next game"

Pokemon Legends: Z-A might have overhauled combat even more than I thought, with an entire set of strategies sacrificed on the real-time altar

1
Jurassic World Evolution 3 review: "Far from a fossil, this park builder is one you'll keep coming back to, despite its flaws"
2
Ninja Gaiden 4 review: "Thrilling action and deep blood powers make this the series' best and a stunning return to form"
3
Keeper review: "One of the most wonderfully bizarre games I've ever played – a stunning slice of magic"
4
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 review: "My dream vampire RPG has been staked – this blunt-toothed sequel is just a boring, linear action brawler instead"
5
Ball x Pit review: "Vampire Survivors and Breakout collide in this brilliant roguelike ball basher that struggles with repetition"

1
Tron: Ares review: "Misses out by swapping the Grid for the real world"
2
One Battle After Another review: "One of the best studio movies in years and an instant classic"
3
The Conjuring: Last Rites review: "Not bold or memorable enough for the Warrens' final chapter"
4
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle review: "Roars past Mugen Train as Demon Slayer's best adventure yet"
5
The Long Walk review: "One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made"

1
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
2
Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"
3
Gen V season 2 review: "As strong as the first season, if not stronger"
4
Wednesday season 2 part 2 review: "Ortega shines, but it's a zombie who steals the entire show"
5
Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."