The creative director of Dragon Age has left BioWare after more than a decade with the company

Mike Laidlaw has left BioWare after 14 years with the company. (Note not to confuse the situation with Marc Laidlaw, who left Valve after 18 years with the company in 2016.) Laidlaw was a veteran of the studio who served as lead writer on Jade Empire, helped develop the first Mass Effect, and was creative director of the Dragon Age series. It's not clear how this will impact the in-development Dragon Age 4.

Laidlaw announced his departure via Twitter:

In case you can't read that tiny text, it reads:

"It's with a mix of emotions that I'm announcing my time with BioWare has ended. 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 to work with some of the most talented and hardworking people in the industry. It's been an honor to be a part of the Dragon Age team, and I have every confidence that the world we created together is in good hands and I'm excited for the road ahead.

For the near future, I plan to spend my time reconnecting with all the amazing games and worlds that my peers have created, and I look forward to sharing those experiences with you all on Twitch and Twitter.

To everyone who's taken the time to share feedback and experiences, your amazing cosplays and artistic creations: thank you. You've made my time 'in Thedas' amazing. Your passion inspires and I look forward to our next adventure together."

Laidlaw worked closely with writer David Gaider to develop the Dragon Age universe, and Gaider left BioWare in early 2016. He went on to become creative director at Beamdog, developers of Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition. Laidlaw has not announced any future career plans as of yet.