EA’s Risky Hire: “The Professor” Joins Amid Concord and Dragon Age Fallout

The gaming industry is abuzz with shock and skepticism following the news that a lead developer from Concord, known as “The Professor,” has been hired by Electronic Arts (EA) for a significant role, despite the hero shooter’s catastrophic failure and EA’s own recent stumble with Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Concord, developed by Firewalk Studios and shut down just two weeks after its August 2024 launch, is widely regarded as one of gaming’s biggest flops, peaking at under 700 concurrent players on Steam. Meanwhile, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, released in October 2024, missed EA’s sales targets by nearly 50%, engaging only 1.5 million players against a projected 3 million. The decision to bring “The Professor” onboard has sparked heated debate: has EA learned nothing from these high-profile missteps, or is this a calculated move to shake things up? Let’s dive into the controversy, the context, and what it means for gaming’s future.

The Concord Catastrophe

Concord was Sony’s attempt to break into the hero shooter market, a genre dominated by Overwatch and Apex Legends. Developed over eight years with a rumored $400 million budget, the game promised a vibrant sci-fi universe, diverse characters, and team-based action. Firewalk Studios, founded in 2018 and acquired by Sony, positioned Concord as a premium title with a $40 price tag—no battle pass, just upfront value. The lead developer in question, dubbed “The Professor” by colleagues, was reportedly instrumental in shaping the game’s vision, particularly its character designs and narrative tone.

The reality was brutal. Concord’s beta phases drew meager interest, with the open beta peaking at just 2,388 players. Upon release on August 23, 2024, it hit a dismal 697 concurrent players on Steam, far below competitors like Helldivers 2 (400,000 peak). Critics panned its generic gameplay, uninspired maps, and lackluster characters, with Eurogamer calling the designs “muddled” and PC Gamer scoring it 45/100 for “agonizingly slow” mechanics. By September 6, Sony pulled the plug, offering full refunds and delisting the game—a rare move signaling total defeat. Firewalk Studios closed in October 2024, leaving its team, including “The Professor,” scrambling.

The Professor’s tenure at Firewalk wasn’t without controversy. Reports surfaced that they demanded co-workers address them as “Professor,” despite lacking academic credentials, and pushed for company-wide adjustments in how staff interacted, including enforcing pronoun usage. Meetings titled “Teaching with the Professor” reportedly grated on colleagues, and their vocal disdain for guns clashed with Concord’s shooter core. These dynamics, combined with the game’s failure, painted a picture of a developer whose priorities may have misaligned with player expectations.

Dragon Age’s Disappointment

EA’s own Dragon Age: The Veilguard adds fuel to the fire. The fourth entry in BioWare’s storied RPG series, it launched to high hopes after a decade since Inquisition. Development was rocky—rebooted twice, shifting from a live-service model to a single-player focus amid fan backlash. Despite solid reviews (Metacritic 84/100), the game underperformed, reaching 1.5 million players against EA’s 3 million goal. CEO Andrew Wilson admitted it “did not resonate with a broad enough audience,” citing a need for “shared-world features” to compete in today’s market.

Fans and analysts pointed to other issues. The game’s modernized tone—snarky dialogue, streamlined RPG mechanics—alienated some series veterans who craved Origins’ depth. Its DEI-focused character designs and inclusive romance options, while praised by some, sparked online backlash, with critics arguing BioWare prioritized ideology over storytelling. Layoffs hit BioWare hard post-launch, with key veterans like lead writer Trick Weekes and game director Corinne Busche exiting, leaving the studio at under 100 staff. The fallout raised alarms about EA’s management, with fears that Mass Effect 5, now BioWare’s sole focus, could suffer a similar fate.

The Professor’s New Gig at EA

Enter “The Professor.” In April 2025, reports confirmed EA had hired the former Concord developer for a major role, though specifics—whether tied to Mass Effect 5 or another project—remain unclear. The move stunned gamers, given Concord’s collapse and Dragon Age’s struggles. Online reactions were swift and scathing, with posts on social platforms questioning EA’s judgment. “They learned nothing from Veilguard’s flop,” one user wrote, while others speculated the hire signals EA doubling down on the same creative missteps that tanked both games.

What’s driving EA’s decision? One theory is that “The Professor” brings a fresh perspective, perhaps valued for their narrative expertise or alignment with EA’s push for inclusive storytelling. EA’s recent earnings call emphasized “authentic stories” and “innovative features,” buzzwords that echo Sweet Baby Inc.’s playbook—another studio linked to divisive projects like South of Midnight. If “The Professor” was hired to bolster DEI efforts, it could reflect corporate priorities shaped by ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals, which some argue influence hiring over merit.

Alternatively, EA may see “The Professor” as a scapegoat-proof hire. Concord’s failure was a team effort, with Sony’s marketing and Firewalk’s leadership sharing blame. By absorbing a high-profile developer, EA might aim to signal confidence, betting they can thrive in a new environment. Yet, the optics are risky—hiring someone tied to a $400 million disaster, especially after Dragon Age’s shortfall, invites scrutiny.

Why the Backlash?

The uproar stems from a perceived pattern. Concord and Dragon Age: The Veilguard both faced criticism for prioritizing narrative over gameplay, with DEI elements seen by some as heavy-handed. Concord’s characters were mocked as “ugly” and “forgettable,” while Veilguard’s inclusive cast sparked debates about authenticity versus pandering. “The Professor” embodies this tension—reports of their workplace demands suggest a focus on ideology that gamers fear could bleed into EA’s next projects.

Data underscores the disconnect. A 2025 survey found 68% of gamers prioritize gameplay over story, up from 52% in 2021, reflecting fatigue with narrative-driven titles that skimp on mechanics. Concord’s 697-player peak and Veilguard’s 1.5 million engagement show players voting with their time. The Professor’s hire feels like a tone-deaf move to critics who see EA ignoring this shift, especially when Baldur’s Gate 3 (15 million sales) proves single-player RPGs can succeed without leaning on trends.

EA’s Bigger Picture

EA’s track record adds context. The company has weathered flops before—Anthem (2019) collapsed under live-service ambitions, and Battlefield 2042 (2021) launched broken. Yet, its sports titles like EA FC generate billions, cushioning risks. Dragon Age’s failure, while costly, pales next to FIFA’s struggles, which Wilson noted as a bigger profit drag. Hiring “The Professor” could be EA testing waters for Mass Effect 5, hoping to blend Veilguard’s narrative strengths with broader appeal. But with BioWare’s staff gutted and fan trust shaky, the margin for error is slim.

Microsoft’s Xbox woes offer a parallel. After Redfall and Starfield underperformed, its closure of Tango Gameworks sparked outrage. EA risks similar backlash if Mass Effect 5 falters, especially with a polarizing figure like “The Professor” involved. Industry-wide, AAA studios face rising costs—budgets routinely hit $200 million—making flops like Concord unsustainable. A 2024 report estimated 30% of AAA titles fail to break even, pressuring companies to chase trends like live-service or DEI to stand out, often at the cost of quality.

The Professor’s Potential Impact

What might “The Professor” bring to EA? Optimists argue their narrative skills could shine in a structured environment, free from Concord’s chaotic development. If tasked with Mass Effect 5, they could craft compelling characters, provided gameplay takes priority. Pessimists, however, fear a repeat of Concord’s missteps—overly didactic stories, divisive designs—that could alienate BioWare’s core fans. Posts online already warn of “Mass Effect going woke,” reflecting preemptive distrust.

The Professor’s past suggests a strong personality, which could either galvanize a team or sow discord. Their reported dislike of guns, for instance, could clash with Mass Effect’s combat-heavy roots, much as it did with Concord. EA’s challenge is harnessing their vision without repeating Firewalk’s mistake of ignoring critical feedback. With Veilguard’s team scattered, BioWare needs stability, not more upheaval.

The Road Ahead

For EA, Mass Effect 5 is make-or-break. A flop could end BioWare, already a shadow of its 2000s glory. The Professor’s hire signals EA’s willingness to gamble, but on what? If it’s a push for inclusivity, they must balance it with gameplay fans crave—Starfield’s 6 million players show sci-fi still sells when done right. If it’s a bid for innovation, “The Professor” must prove they can deliver without the baggage of Concord.

Gamers, meanwhile, are vocal. Online sentiment demands EA focus on “fun first,” with Concord and Veilguard as cautionary tales. The industry watches closely—Sony’s Concord shutdown cost jobs; EA’s next misstep could too. For “The Professor,” this is a chance to redeem a tarnished rep, but the spotlight is unforgiving.

Conclusion: A Galaxy at Risk

EA’s decision to hire “The Professor” after Concord’s collapse and Dragon Age’s stumble is a bold, baffling move. It suggests either blind faith or a deeper strategy, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. As BioWare limps toward Mass Effect 5, gamers brace for impact—will “The Professor” spark a comeback or steer EA into another crash? In a world where players demand excellence, not excuses, this hire is a test of whether EA can learn from its past or is doomed to repeat it. The galaxy awaits, but trust is in short supply.