David Gaider, former lead writer on the Dragon Age franchise at BioWare, is leaving the game studio after 17 years.

Gaider announced his departure on a tweet earlier this morning.

The split between Gaider and BioWare was a positive one. "It was indeed my decision, one not made easily since BioWare's been very good to me, and the parting is amicable," said Gaider to website Polygon. "It's simply time to move onto a new challenge."

Gaider has been with BioWare since 1999, working as a writer on Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. His best known work includes his character writing, creating party members as Carth Onasi and HK-47 from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Deekin, the Kobold Bard in Neverwinter Nights. Gaider also became the lead writer on Neverwinter Nights, and would later become the lead writer on the Dragon Age franchise.

Gaider's biggest contribution is to the Dragon Age franchise, where he is not only responsible for several characters across all three games, including party members Alistair, Morrigan, Fenris, Cassandra and Dorian, but also the lead writer for the titles and had a large part in penning several quest lines and scenes in each of the games. Gaider has also written several comic books and novels based on the Dragon Age franchise, including the acclaimed Dragon Age: Asunder.

His character writing has been met with critical approval, with Gaider himself stating Morrigan and Alistair are his favorite characters from the Dragon Age series.

Gaider, who is openly gay, has spoken about inclusiveness in video games several times, speaking at GaymerX and writing about why inclusiveness matters, and how it can be done.

Last year, Gaider stepped down from his position as lead writer for the Dragon Age series, giving the reigns to senior writer Patrick Weekes. He began working for the writing team on the as of yet unannounced IP by BioWare.

As of right now, Gaider has not revealed his current plans after leaving BioWare. He is right now focusing on "saying goodbye and packing up."

What do you think about this news? Where do you think Gaider will go next? Leave your comments below.