Between Baldur's Gate 2, Neverwinter Nightsand Dragon Agewriter David Gaider certainly has had a rich career; however, his next project at Summerfall Studios could be a turning point for the studio if he fails to secure financing. Dragon Age itself was relegated to the back burner by EA after an underwhelming release Veilguard in 2024, it is the first game in the series written without Gaider.
Founded by David Gaider and Liam Esler in 2017, Summerfall Studios has already released several smaller projects. Gaider's first game after his departure after the release of the now defunct Anthem was Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical published by Balor Games in 2023 and subsequently Babyroguelike deckbuilder in 2025 that Summerfall Studios has decided to self-publish. Both games were moderately successful for indie games of this scale, but now it seems Gaider is looking for something bigger with his next project.
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In a recent interview with PC Gamer, David Gaider detailed what fans can expect from the studio's upcoming RPG Summerfall, stating that “you play a bunch of villains in an airship going around doing heists,” describing it as “not a full-on comedy, but something that would make me laugh.” Later, however, Gadier makes it clear that it was difficult for the studio to find a publisher to finance the game. Currently, Summerfall has completed several RPG prototypes, but all publishers who have expressed interest in the project would like the game to be at least 80% complete before they decide to fund it, so it's a tough balance between what the studio can and can't create without proper funding. Gaiden describes the studio's pursuit of funding as a “make it or break it” situation, hinting that the studio may close if a publisher is not secured.
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During the interview, Gadier notes that a lot of what's happening with Summerfall is a result of the industry shrinking significantly over the past three years. Because game development is such a risky business, publishers don't want to back any video game at this point until they know it's a safe bet and the game will be finished and released. And it's not just small studios like Gaider's Summerfall Studios that have been affected; Life is strangeThe development studio has warned it will run out of funding by November 2026 and is looking for relief.
If Summerfall couldn't secure funding and had to close, Gaider isn't sure what direction he would take given the state of the industry. The writer remains unsure if he will ever find a place at another studio, given how saturated and competitive the market is, after thousands of layoffs at major publishers like Xbox and Sony every year. Hopefully Gaider will find a new home if his heist RPG doesn't pan out, and it seems like he might be open to returning to AAA game development if that happens.
When asked about returning to Dragon AgeGaider's response went from a hard no to a willingness to accept the challenge, even with plans for what to do about it. Although this may be the end Dragon Age for now as BioWare is moving on Mass Effect after his own firing, Gaider stated that if he were given the franchise again, he would like to take it back to its basics, go somewhere “dark and dangerous” and “do things that upset people.” If Summerfall's heist RPG secures funding, fans may soon get to see what Gaider's non-comedic RPG is all about, but he might be at the helm of a cult classic in the future. Dragon Age again.
