Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Is Officially Being Renamed, With Gameplay Reveal Set for June 11 - EXCLUSIVE
What are some of the challenges BioWare faced after the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition and how have these influenced the development of The Veilguard?
After the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition, BioWare faced several challenges that have influenced the development of The Veilguard. One of the major challenges was the disastrous release of Anthem, which led to setbacks for the studio, including layoffs. Additionally, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition was one of the few bright spots for the studio during this time.
The development of The Veilguard itself also faced challenges. The game was reportedly canceled at one point, but BioWare general manager Gary McKay frames it as a period of exploration. According to McKay, the studio was given an incredible opportunity to explore, test, and validate a variety of gameplay concepts as they worked to determine what the next Dragon Age could look like1. This included experimenting with a multiplayer concept, but ultimately, with the support from EA, they refocused on creating an incredible single-player game with choices, characters, and world-building.
These challenges have led to a renewed focus on creating a standout single-player experience with deep and compelling companion stories for The Veilguard. The development team has worked on creating really incredible backstories for each companion that intersect with the main narrative in meaningful ways. The game is intended to be an unforgettable experience that will be worthy of the Dragon Age name and help reestablish BioWare as a top-tier RPG studio.
What prompted the decision to rename Dragon Age Dreadwolf to Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
The decision to rename Dragon Age Dreadwolf to Dragon Age: The Veilguard was prompted by the developers' desire to have a title that better reflects the central theme of the game, which is about the group of companions, rather than just focusing on the antagonist. BioWare general manager Gary McKay explained that while Solas is still an important part of the story, the team wanted a title that emphasized the really deep and compelling group of companions. The new name, The Veilguard, is intended to capture the essence of the game's adventure and the importance of the companions that players will form connections with throughout the story.
What are the key features of the gameplay in Dragon Age: The Veilguard as mentioned by BioWare?
Dragon Age: The Veilguard's gameplay, as mentioned by BioWare, has several key features:
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Seven Playable Party Members: The game will feature seven unique characters, each with their own deep and compelling storylines. The decisions players make will impact their relationships with these companions and their lives.
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Fun and Fluid, Moment-to-Moment Combat: The game promises to deliver engaging combat that is both fun and fluid.
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Strategy via Unique Powers of Each Companion: Players will need to utilize the unique powers and abilities of each companion strategically during combat. Each companion will have a direct impact on how players choose to take down enemies.
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New Ability Wheel: This feature allows players to pause the action and set up their next move. It could be the abilities of companions or the player's own. This ability wheel opens up a huge amount of strategic possibilities, giving players the ability to control the flow of combat and link powerful combinations of abilities between players and their companions that can quickly turn the tide of any battle.
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Exploration of Dragon Age Lore and Factions: The game will tap into Dragon Age's deep lore and explore its most iconic factions to bring each of the seven companions and their stories to life.
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Impactful Decisions and Romances: Players will have the ability to impact the world and the companions that surround them. Player agency is important to the Dragon Age: The Veilguard experience and allows each player to form unique personal connections with their companions of choice. Romances with companions are also possible.
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New Evil Threat: The game will introduce a new evil threat unleashed upon Thedas. While Solas, the Dread Wolf, still has an important part in this tale, the game suggests that there might be another villain beyond Solas.
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Variety of Regions and Biomes: As players accompany their companions to unravel their backstory and earn their loyalty and friendship, they will visit more regions of Thedas across a deeper variety of biomes than any Dragon Age before it.