David Gaider – he of Dragon Age, Baldur’s Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic fame – has left Bioware after 17 years at the developer.
Dragon Age: Origins is among good company on our list of best RPGs for PC.
Taking to Twitter earlier today, Gaider said: “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.”
Gaider joined BioWare in 1999 and first worked on Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. Shortly after, he worked on Knights of the Old Republic and Neverwinter Nights, before assuming the role of lead writer for the first time on 2003’s Neverwinter Nights’ expansion Hordes of the Underdark.
Openly gay himself, Gaider also created Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Dorian – the first fully gay character to feature in a BioWare game.
As to why he left – and what’s next now that he has – Gaider hasn’t given much away, although affirmed his departure was on his terms in an email to Polygon. “It was indeed my decision,” he writes. “One not made easily since BioWare’s been very good to me, and the parting is amicable. It’s simply time to move onto a new challenge. As to where I’m headed next, that announcement will come in due time – today’s about saying goodbye and packing up.”
We’ve written to both BioWare and EA for comment and will update as and when we hear back.
Until then, here’s how Gaider responded to well wishers on social media: “My twitter feed is a bit overwhelming at the moment. Thank you to everyone for the kind comments.”