The next Dragon Age game will showcase gameplay on June 11 and will have a new name. As reported by IGN, the game, previously known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, will be called Dragon Age: The Veilguard. BioWare has revealed many details about the game, which was previously almost unknown.
The name change may come as a surprise. SInce the completion of the Trespasser DLC for Dragon Age: Inquisition, fans have been expecting a continuation of Solas's story, a former companion who turned out to be the elven god Fen'Harel, also known as the Dread Wolf. BioWare's General Manager Gary McKay explains that while Solas "is still a part of the story in Dragon Age: The Veilguard," the team wanted a name that would reflect a "really deep and compelling group of companions."
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, there will be seven group members, as well as "fun and smooth fast-paced combat," continuing to focus on strategy through the unique abilities of each companion.
"It's important to remind fans that each Dragon Age game is a new and slightly different experience, and this game, more than ever, is dedicated to you and your companions - a group that you must bond together to fight on your side. We can't wait for players to meet, get to know, and build their personal relationships with the unique companions in The Veilguard. That's the spirit of this game, this story. Choosing who will join you on your adventure, fight alongside you, and stand by you in the end," Gary McKay said.
In the BioWare blog, McKay clarified: "Each of the seven unique characters who will be your companions will have a deep and compelling story, where the decisions you make will impact your relationships with them, as well as their lives. You will unite this team of unforgettable heroes to face a new terrible threat that has emerged into the light. Naturally, the Dread Wolf still plays an important role in this story, but you and your companions, not your enemies, are the heart of this new experience."
McKay claims that the name change was not explored through targeted testing, which usually helps make such decisions. He even acknowledges that keeping the Dreadwolf name could have been easier.
"In fact, we believed sticking with Dreadwolf would have been the safer choice - after all, 'Dread Wolf' is a cool name! For us, it was important to have a name that was authentic to the companions that are at the core of this adventure we've created. We've been working throughout the development process to craft truly incredible backstories for each companion that meaningfully intersect with the main story."
So, who are the Veilguard really? According to legend, the Veil is a barrier between the physical world and the Fade, which is the realm of spirits in Dragon Age. Solas, who helped create the Veil, now wants to destroy it. Thus, as McKay says, the Veil needs protection.
"The biggest hint I can share is that you and your partners, making up The Veilguard, play a significant role in confronting the new threat looming over Thedas. It might not just be Solas."
McKay is not quite ready to name the participants, but still gives some hints about what to expect, including initial information about romances.
"We've spent a lot of time making our companions feel real based on their own unique experience in this great fantasy world, which in turn makes your relationships with them even more significant. We've delved into the deep lore of Dragon Age and explored its most renowned factions to make each of the seven companions and their stories more alive."
"I won't spoil the reveal for next week, but I can say that we've created a story where you can influence the world and the companions. Player agency is important to the experience of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and allows each player to form unique personal bonds with selected companions. And yes, you can romance the companions you choose!"
McKay says that the decision to reduce the number of companions from nine to seven is mainly because it is the "right number for the story we're telling." Each of them should represent a unique faction or lore element of Thedas and will have their own arc with "stories of love and loss, each with significant choices and emotional moments."
"As you accompany your companions to unravel their backstory and earn their loyalty and friendship, you will visit more regions of Thedas in a deeper variety of biomes than in any previous Dragon Age."
McKay says that in The Veilguard, although he confirms there will be an original hero similar to the Warden, Hawke, and the Inquisitor.
"Dragon Age franchise games are never developed as a continuous storyline game after game. In the new story we're telling, there are familiar arcs, factions, and heroes important to the overarching Dragon Age universe. Previous games, characters, and events are not the anchor of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, it's your adventure with a completely new lineup of companions that you must bond together to fight against a powerful force."
Gary McKay teases another villain besides Solas: "I don't want to get into spoiler territory, but I can say that the Dread Wolf is not the only god players should be worried about."
When The Veilguard is finally unveiled on June 11, BioWare's presentation will include 15 minutes of gameplay from the beginning of the game to help set up the story. As for gameplay, McKay says that combat in The Veilguard was a "major focus," and the team wanted to push it forward. The game will have an ability wheel designed to give orders to two companions who can join in battle.
"In a role-playing game, combat strategy is important as you bring two companions with you into each battle. Each companion brings unique powers and abilities that directly affect how you decide to defeat the enemies at hand. To add another layer to this strategic element, we're introducing a new ability wheel that allows you to pause the action and set up the next move - be it abilities of your companions or your own."
"The ability wheel opens up a huge amount of strategic opportunities, giving players the ability to control the flow of battle and link powerful ability combinations between players and their companions that can quickly turn the tide of any battle. We believe we've found an exciting balance of fun, smoothness, and strategy for each encounter."
BioWare doesn't directly say it, but it seems like a lot rides on Dragon Age. The perception of the game will say a lot about whether BioWare can restore itself as a top-tier RPG studio alongside Larian, CD Projekt Red, and other successful studios.
"It's a game and experience that continues BioWare's tradition of single-player RPG storylines set in the epic fantasy world of Thedas. We know that Dragon Age fans and the community have been eagerly awaiting the next game, and we couldn't be more excited to share our gameplay on June 11."
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