In a surprising turn of events, BioWare has announced a name change for the highly anticipated next installment in the iconic Dragon Age franchise. Formerly known as “Dragon Age: Dreadwolf,” the game has been rebranded as “Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” a title that promises to capture the essence of the game’s narrative and characters.
Accompanying this reveal is the tantalizing news that BioWare will showcase over 15 minutes of gameplay footage from the opening moments of Dragon Age: The Veilguard on June 11, barely a week away. Fans eagerly awaiting their return to the rich and immersive world of Thedas can mark their calendars for 8 AM PDT / 11 AM EDT / 4 PM BST, when the gameplay reveal will go live.
According to Gary McKay, Dragon Age’s executive producer, the decision to rebrand the game was driven by a desire to highlight the central role played by the player’s companions in this epic adventure. While the Dread Wolf, a pivotal figure in Dragon Age lore, will still have an important part to play, McKay emphasizes that “you and your companions – not your enemies – are the heart of this new experience.”
BioWare’s commitment to delivering a deep, narrative-driven, single-player experience is evident in the development process behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard. After the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition, the studio took the opportunity to experiment and iterate on various gameplay concepts, including a multiplayer concept. However, as McKay explains, “The time we spent experimenting and iterating gradually taught us a lot. This work, and the amazing support from EA, helped us re-focus on creating an incredible single-player game, with all the choices, characters, and world-building you’d expect from us.”
At the heart of Dragon Age: The Veilguard are seven unique companions, each with their own “deep and compelling storylines.” The choices players make throughout their journey will shape their relationships with these characters, further cementing BioWare’s commitment to delivering a narrative-driven experience that resonates with players on a personal level.
“You’ll unite this team of unforgettable heroes as you take on a terrifying new threat unleashed on the world,” BioWare teases, hinting at the epic scale of the challenges that await players in The Veilguard.
While the name change may have caught some fans off guard, BioWare assures that the core essence of the Dragon Age experience remains intact. The studio promises a standalone story set in the richly detailed world of Thedas, complete with a new lead protagonist and the signature choices and world-building that have defined the franchise.
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming gameplay reveal, BioWare invites fans to join the chat early, hinting at “a few special surprises” in store. This tantalizing prospect, coupled with the promise of an extended look at the opening moments of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, has set the stage for an exciting event that promises to reignite the passion of long-time fans and pique the interest of newcomers alike.
With BioWare’s unwavering commitment to delivering a narrative-driven, single-player experience, and the studio’s track record of creating unforgettable characters and immersive worlds, Dragon Age: The Veilguard stands poised to usher in a new era of epic storytelling and captivating gameplay in the beloved fantasy RPG franchise.